Sheffield and Leeds lobby for transformational rail investment

Political and business leaders from Sheffield and Leeds are calling for transformational rail investment with a clear timetable and delivery plan, to better connect the two city regions as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Those calling for better services include South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, Sheffield City Council leader Councillor Tom Hunt, Leeds City Council leader Councillor James Lewis and West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

They point out that currently Sheffield and Leeds, two of the North’s core cities, are linked by just one fast train an hour and their growth – and the region’s – is being held back by outdated, Victorian rail infrastructure.

Combined, Sheffield and Leeds generate almost £50 billion in GVA, but they’re missing out on up to £25 billion each year across the wider White Rose region, according to their research.

Their asks include:

• Four fast trains an hour between Sheffield and Leeds, bringing services in line with comparable cities across the UK.

• Improvements at Sheffield Midland Station, freeing up rail capacity on the main line by expanding the tram-train network.

• Investment in greater capacity at Leeds City Station, so it becomes a hub for onward travel into the city centre and is fit-for-purpose for the new mass transit system. 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said, “Sheffield is the largest city in the UK without electrified rail, and our station will be at capacity by December. Delivering four fast trains an hour to Leeds as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail will help to unlock over a million extra journeys a year, boosting jobs, growth, and opportunity across the whole of Yorkshire.”

Improving links between Sheffield and Leeds will also support the proposed Rotherham Gateway station and regeneration masterplan which would position Rotherham as a strategic economic corridor between Sheffield and Leeds and connect South Yorkshire to the wider Northern economy.

“After decades of under-investment, it’s time we got a fair deal. Investment in rail isn’t just about faster trains, it’s about tackling the big challenges we face and helping Yorkshire move forward.”

Sheffield City Council Leader Councillor Tom Hunt said, “The upcoming Northern Powerhouse announcement is a key moment to invest in better Sheffield-Leeds connectivity and make a downpayment on the future productivity growth it will bring.

“Sheffield is a national leader in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and engineering. To grow our economy, we need expanded capacity at Sheffield Midland Station, which includes expanding our tram-train network to free up more capacity on the main line.

“Certainty from the government on rail connections between Sheffield and Leeds is the signal investors are waiting for. Let’s end the delay, add more fast trains and get going.”

The two cities' asks were included in Yorkshire's Plan for Rail which was launched by three of Yorkshire's regional mayors earlier this year.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said, "We deserve far better than the creaking and unreliable rail network we currently have serving the two great cities of Leeds and Sheffield.

"That is why we're calling for faster services and investment in our stations to address capacity and connectivity issues which are holding the economy back.

"We will continue to make the case for fairer rail investment for Yorkshire so that passengers get the services they deserve and we can achieve our ambitious plans for the region."

Leeds City Council Leader Councillor James Lewis said, “Our great and growing cities are home to internationally-competitive businesses across a wide range of sectors, and we are achieving all this with poor rail connectivity between us. Yet these improvements between our two cities will drive growth not just in Leeds and Sheffield but across Yorkshire and the UK.

“Improved rail connectivity will also benefit surrounding towns and communities, bringing people within easier reach of jobs and opportunities, and enabling delivery of more new homes including affordable housing. With this commitment and certainty, we can deliver these improvements now and bring better growth across Yorkshire and the wider UK economy within the decade.