This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49132477

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Boris Johnson backs high-speed Leeds to Manchester rail route Boris Johnson backs high-speed Leeds to Manchester rail route
(about 4 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will pledge to fund a new high-speed rail route between Leeds and Manchester. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged a faster rail route between Leeds and Manchester, saying the benefits for the UK would be "colossal".
In a speech in Manchester later, Mr Johnson will give his backing to the trans-Pennine transport link to "turbo-charge the economy". In a speech in Manchester he gave his backing to the trans-Pennine transport link to "turbo-charge the economy".
It is claimed the plans would cut journey times on the 36-mile (58km) route from 50 minutes to less than 30. Standing in front of Stephenson's Rocket he said mass transport systems enabled people to prosper.
The full details of the route are expected to be published in the autumn following the review into HS2. Labour's Andy McDonald said the plans had been "announced time and time again by the Conservatives".
It is thought the new route will be part of Mr Johnson's wider commitment to deliver a high-speed railway link across the north of England, which would cost about £39bn. Mr Johnson said the full details of the Leeds-Manchester route would be published in the autumn following the review into HS2.
The previous government supported the project in principle but had not committed to investing in it. An audience of about 100 people gathered at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester to listen to Mr Johnson's speech.
But Labour cast doubt on Mr Johnson's pledge - saying he had failed to deliver on infrastructure as mayor of London. Mr Johnson set out the four "ingredients" for the success of the UK as liveability, connectivity, culture, and power and responsibility.
He said this meant areas having great public services, enough affordable homes, safe streets, fast broadband, and more responsibility and accountability for local areas.
HS2 and HS3HS2 and HS3
The idea of a high-speed, east-west rail connection in northern England was first announced in 2014 by the then chancellor George Osborne as part of his Northern Powerhouse strategy. He added: "We are going to give greater powers to council leaders and communities.
He claimed it would allow cities from Liverpool to Hull "to take on the world", but since then little progress has been made despite swathes of reports, announcements and pledges. "We are going to level up the powers offered to mayors so more people can benefit from the kind of local structures seen in London and here in Manchester."
In 2016 a report for the National Infrastructure Commission found the scheme needed "kick-starting" and concluded a concrete plan should be in place by 2017. Mr Johnson said young people growing up "a few miles away" from the centre of Manchester had felt "hopelessness, or the hope that one day they will get out and never come back".
In 2017, Mr Osborne claimed Theresa May's government had made a "systematic attempt" to "eradicate all mention of the initiative". "The crucial point is it certainly isn't really the fault of the places, and certainly isn't the fault of the people growing up there," he said.
The Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry replied that the scheme "would happen", but failed to provide any details of when. "They haven't failed. It's we, us, the politicians, our politics has failed them."
In 2018, a £70bn master plan announced by Transport for the North - set up to co-ordinate transport across the north of England - included HS3 in its plans for a new rail network, called Northern Powerhouse Rail. It was met with a mixed response. The Northern Powerhouse rail initiative was part of Mr Johnson's wider commitment to deliver a high-speed railway link across the north of England, which would cost about £39bn.
Labour's shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the project had been "announced time and time again by the Conservatives". National Infrastructure Commission chairman Sir John Armitt said: "Travellers in the North have been crying out for a serious upgrade to their intercity rail network - as the Commission first recommended in 2016.
"With Boris Johnson's staggering failure to build a bridge across the Thames and an estuary airport I'm not confident he'll be able to deliver better train services between Leeds and Manchester," he added. "Poor infrastructure inhibits growth. Investment to improve capacity, reliability and reduce travel times can play a valuable role in helping drive prosperity across the North.
"The PM's decision today must be integrated with plans for HS2, and matched with devolved funding and powers for city leaders in the north - as set out in our National Infrastructure Assessment."
Mr Johnson wore a badge bearing the phrase "Northern Powerhouse" during the speech.
Labour's shadow transport secretary Mr McDonald said: "With Boris Johnson's staggering failure to build a bridge across the Thames and an estuary airport I'm not confident he'll be able to deliver better train services between Leeds and Manchester.
"What we really need is Labour's Crossrail for the North, from Liverpool to Hull and up to the North East to unleash the economic potential of the region."What we really need is Labour's Crossrail for the North, from Liverpool to Hull and up to the North East to unleash the economic potential of the region.
"Just upgrading the rail between Leeds and Manchester - the same distance as the Central line on the London Underground - won't achieve that.""Just upgrading the rail between Leeds and Manchester - the same distance as the Central line on the London Underground - won't achieve that."
AnalysisAnalysis
By Spencer Stokes, BBC Look North transport correspondentBy Spencer Stokes, BBC Look North transport correspondent
Theresa May's government had said that it supported the idea of a new, fast rail route across the Pennines in principle - but it hadn't found the money to make it a reality. Theresa May's government had said that it supported the idea of a new, fast rail route across the Pennines in principle - but it had not found the money to make it a reality.
Boris Johnson's speech goes one step further with a firm pledge to fund the Leeds to Manchester line. The new rail line has been claimed to have a significant impact on journey times. Leeds to Manchester could be cut from about 50 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
The new railway would have a significant impact on journey times. Leeds to Manchester could be cut from around 50 minutes to less than 30 minutes. Local authorities in the North have campaigned for extra funds for railways following years of investment in big transport projects in London such as Crossrail - and the rebuilding of several of the capital's rail stations.
Local authorities in the north have campaigned hard for extra cash for the north's railways following years of investment in big transport projects in London such as Crossrail - and the rebuilding of several of the capital's rail stations.
Attention will now turn to the precise route and if the HS2 experience is anything to go by that's when the difficulties of building a railway become apparent.Attention will now turn to the precise route and if the HS2 experience is anything to go by that's when the difficulties of building a railway become apparent.
Mr Johnson will use the speech to state he is committed to "rebalance power, growth and productivity across the UK". Mr Johnson used the speech to state he is committed to "rebalance power, growth and productivity across the UK".
He will also pledge to "improve the unglamorous local services which people use every day", such as buses. He also said "the unglamorous local services which people use every day" - such as buses - needed improving.
This has been welcomed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who said improving the current transport system "is more important than a railway line that might be built in 15 or 20 years". This has been welcomed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who said improving the current transport system was "more important than a railway line that might be built in 15 or 20 years".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If you asked me to prioritise, I would say prioritise this next decade but I don't think we should be asked to prioritise because London has never been asked to do that.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If you asked me to prioritise, I would say prioritise this next decade but I don't think we should be asked to prioritise because London has never been asked to do that.
"We should have new rail infrastructure alongside support for our transport system now.""We should have new rail infrastructure alongside support for our transport system now."
A survey by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) found companies believed the upgraded network would boost productivity and investment.A survey by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) found companies believed the upgraded network would boost productivity and investment.
NPP director Henri Murison said: "This is a seminal moment for the north - the entire Northern Powerhouse concept is all about connecting the cities and towns of the north to boost productivity." NPP director Henri Murison said: "This is a seminal moment for the North - the entire Northern Powerhouse concept is all about connecting the cities and towns of the north to boost productivity."
Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: "Northern Powerhouse Rail is key to our vision for a modern, reliable transport network that delivers faster journey times, additional capacity and greater reliability and I hope the Government will now work with us to accelerate delivery of this project." Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: "Northern Powerhouse Rail is key to our vision for a modern, reliable transport network that delivers faster journey times, additional capacity and greater reliability and I hope the government will now work with us to accelerate delivery of this project."