“We are determined to learn from the mistakes of the past”
Nina Lloyd and Ian Hughes
22:23, 24 Sep 2025Updated 22:45, 24 Sep 2025
An announcement had been expected at next week’s Labour Party conference(Image: Mark Waugh)
Government plans to extend high-speed rail across the north of England WILL be unveiled in the coming weeks, despite fears the project would face significant delays, Government sources have said.
This evening (September 24), reports suggested concerns over long-term cost could temporarily put the stoppers on the revival of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project – which is expected to include a rail link between Liverpool and Manchester.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in June that plans for the project would be published within weeks, but no details have emerged to date.
An announcement had been mooted for next week’s Labour Party conference, but a story published by the BBC stated this would no longer happen.
Greater Manchester MPs Angela Rayner and Lucy Powell were both champions of the project, but both are no longer members of the cabinet.
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It is understood a Government insider told the BBC an extended review process was underway in order to avoid mistakes made with the HS2 project, which has been plagued by delays and spiralling costs.
But on Wednesday, another source has since told the PA news agency ministers were “taking time to get this right” and were determined to avoid repeating the previous Tory administration’s “failures”.
It was added that the announcement should be expected in ‘coming weeks’, and is expected to set out the scope and funding for the scheme which aimed at cutting travel time between cities in northern England.
“The Government remains fully committed to NPR (Northern Powerhouse Rail),” the source told PA.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in June that plans for the project would be published within weeks
“We are determined to learn from the mistakes of the past and not repeat the previous government’s failures over HS2 and the botched Network North plan. That’s why we’re taking our time to get this right. We will set out our plans in the coming weeks.”
The Northern Powerhouse project was first proposed by former Tory chancellor George Osborne in 2014 before being shelved under Boris Johnson’s administration.
Its aim was to boost economic growth in northern England, including through improved rail services between Liverpool and Leeds, which often suffer delays and cancellations.
When former prime minister Rishi Sunak scrapped HS2 north of Birmingham, some £12 billion of its budget was set aside to improve rail journeys between Manchester and Liverpool as part of NPR.
Opposition critics urged ministers to “get on with the job” and accused Labour of failing to prioritise passengers.
A Conservative spokesman said: “Yet again it’s more big talk, and no real plans from this Labour government.
“By bowing down to their union paymasters with inflation busting pay rises Labour sent the signal that their donors come first, and passengers second – and the fiasco of nationalisation has been proof of that.”
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Paul Kohler said: “Northern Powerhouse Rail is essential for improving transport across the North of England and unlocking growth – this setback delays the vital boost to northern communities that they have been promised.
“The Government must move quickly to resolve these issues, stop the delays and get on with the job. At the moment, this project is just as plagued by delays as actual trains.”
The Treasury has been approached for comment.
