Northern Powerhouse Rail

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a proposed major rail programme designed to substantially enhance the economic potential of the North of England. The project aims to transform rail services between major Northern cities, improving journey times and frequencies using new and significantly upgraded railway lines in the region. The current proposals, announced in January 2026, include improving connectivity between Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, and York; a new route between Liverpool and Manchester via Warrington and Manchester Airport; and improved trans-Pennine connections between Manchester and Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and York, building on the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The project has a funding cap of £45 billion.