Unless the Government funds Network Rail's £560m Northern Hub programme, for delivery between 2014 and 2019, Yorkshire could miss out on huge economic benefits identified in a new rail study.

Commissioned jointly by Metro, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Leeds City Region, the Yorkshire Rail Network Study highlights up to £12bn of vital economic benefits could be unlocked through measures to improve Yorkshire's rail connectivity. These benefits would result from quicker journeys and improved business links, better commuter services, and more capacity for freight.

Comprehensive investment plan

"Our study provides backing for rail network improvements that would contribute to Yorkshire's economic growth, and we want to work with the Department for Transport and the rail industry to develop a comprehensive long term investment plan for the Leeds/Sheffield areas so that the maximum economic benefits are realised," said Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis.

If the decision is made to back the report, over the next two weeks the West and South Yorkshire ITAs will be making it clear that they want full consideration given to its contents by Network Rail as it plans projects and spending for its next five-year programme of work, starting in 2014.

South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority Chairman Cllr Mick Jameson said, "The report before the ITA suggests that faster trains between Sheffield and Leeds are badly needed and these will require investment at both Leeds and Sheffield stations. We need to change the platform layouts and make them longer to enable both passenger and freight growth. Major signalling works are already planned at Sheffield station in the next few years, so this presents an ideal opportunity. Alongside the track and signalling improvements, we also want to see investment in train stock as well."

Pinch-points

He went on to say: "Schemes to alleviate local pinch-points, improve infrastructure and make possible the standardisation of rolling stock will mean a step-change in local and regional train services, which will attract even greater numbers of passengers, relieving congestion on local roads and growth in our economy."

Leeds City Council Leader Cllr Keith Wakefield said, "The Chancellor's recent funding announcements for part of the proposed Northern Hub scheme and for the electrification of the trans-Pennine route between Manchester and York are extremely welcome but are only part of the story.

"Network Rail's £560m Northern Hub project is forecast to deliver £4.2bn worth of economic benefits including up to 30,000 jobs.

"We are therefore asking for the Government to commit to the completion of the Northern Hub project in full when they announce their rail plans for the next 5 years in the summer. We also need to begin to look ahead beyond the Northern Hub as our study shows that there are many more benefits to be had through investing in our railways."

Not unreasonable

"It is not unreasonable to expect two major cities such as Leeds and Sheffield to be linked by four trains an hour and for journeys between the two cities, which are less than 40 miles apart, to be significantly quicker than the hour it can currently take," said Cllr Lewis.

The Yorkshire Rail Network Study will be considered by members of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority on Friday 24 February, while members of the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority will view the report at their meeting on Thursday 1 March.

By backing the report, the West and South Yorkshire ITAs will be making it clear that they expect Government and the Rail Industry to give full consideration to the potential benefits as they plan projects and spending for the next five-year programme of work starting in 2014, and beyond.

Read the Yorkshire network Rail Study draft Executive Summary (pdf : 396k)