MAYOR DAN JARVIS SAYS “LEVELLING UP” WILL BE DERAILED WITHOUT INVESTMENT IN NORTHERN RAIL NETWORK

Published 12 October 2021 at 5:23pm

As the Department for Transport unveils its new timetable to ease congestion around Manchester, South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis says it’s high time the government committed to investing in a Northern rail network fit for the 21st century.  

The new timetable will result in the loss of South Yorkshire’s hourly direct rail link with Manchester Airport from December 2022 for an unspecified period. 

South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis said:

“It shows the limitations of our dilapidated rail network, that to ease congestion in one area, another must lose out. Just last week the Prime Minister was in Manchester, promising to level up, but the bottom line is that all we’re seeing are worse outcomes than before. This is levelling down, not up. 

“The North needs and deserves a rail network that works for Northerners, that properly connects our people and places. We’re working hard to attract investment and create great jobs, but people must be able to get to them.”

The long-delayed Integrated Rail Plan will outline the government’s plans for rail investment in the North, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, and the eastern leg of HS2. 

South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis added: 

“If the Integrated Rail Plan commits to building Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 in full, it will create a genuinely transformative opportunity for the North and finally get us on track to deliver a rail network fit for the 21st Century. However, rumours are abound that what is about to be delivered will fall far short of what’s been promised. This opportunity to level up the North must not be wasted.

“The North deserves the same levels of service that the South has enjoyed for many years. If, despite its promises, government fails to commit to building that, then its plan to ‘Build Back Better’ will have derailed before it’s even left the platform.”

South Yorkshire LEP and Transport for the North Board Member Peter Kennan said: 

“This timetable change is a poor outcome for South Yorkshire and will mean the loss of a regular, well-used service to Manchester Airport. The Mayor, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the team at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority fought hard to retain the link and will fight to get the service reinstated.

“For too long poor rail connectivity has held South Yorkshire back. Businesses here are eagerly waiting to find out what is in the Integrated Rail Plan and we hope it will include plans to complete HS2 in full and build Northern Powerhouse Rail.”