Labour revives Northern Powerhouse Rail project with pledge of £45bn funds

Plan will start with TransPennine upgrade with new line connecting Liverpool and Manchester in second phase

Long-awaited plans for better railways across the north of England have been given government backing with an undertaking to “reverse years of chronic underinvestment” by spending up to £45bn building Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Just over £1bn has been allocated to work up a detailed three-stage plan to connect cities from Liverpool to Newcastle, which could fulfil most of the demands of northern leaders, in a series of long-term projects.