The government’s £45bn commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) will hopefully benefit Lancashire’s ageing network.
That’s the view from North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce following this week’s announcement of funding for several schemes in the north.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester, a plan backed by the NWL Chamber last year, is central to the scheme.
Lancashire has missed out on vital investment into its largely Victorian rail network over the past decade after successive government’s delayed plans, culminating in the last Conservative government scrapping HS2, which would have benefited the county’s supply chain.
The Liverpool-Manchester line will cut travel times between the cities and could benefit branch lines which serve them, including many lines within Lancashire.
Northern Powerhouse Rail was proposed back in 2014 and aims to deliver faster and more frequent journeys through upgraded and new lines, with improvements to stations.
Steve Peters, chair of the Transport & Infrastructure committee at NWL Chamber said: “This investment into railways by the government is welcomed but, as always, we await the details of the project and how they might affect Lancashire’s ageing network.
“Both commuters and freight on the track have suffered for decades due to a lack of investment and now that it is here, our hope is that it’s dealt with wisely and to the benefit for all.
“Chamber members have spoken about the need to improve the county’s network and we hope some of this much-needed investment can find its way into either ongoing improvements or the supply chain which relies on Lancashire’s railways.”
