Network North: Upgrading Britain's Transport

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What is the Aim of Network North?

According to government data, over 4 million people in the North of England cannot reach their nearest city centre within 30 minutes, highlighting a serious gap in accessibility. This lack of fast, reliable connections is seen as a major barrier to economic growth, with insufficient transport holding back both the North and Midlands. In response to this issue, in 2023, the former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced a commitment to improving regional connectivity. Placing the £36 billion Network North programme at the heart of this effort.

Network North aims to strengthen links to, from, and within 6 major Northern cities, ensuring surrounding towns and smaller communities are better connected. As part of the project, £2.5 billion will be allocated specifically for local transport improvements in smaller cities and towns. This will support the development of new rail stations, dedicated bus routes, and the electrification of existing public transport networks. Providing the groundwork for a modern, efficient transport system that supports economic growth across the entire region.

Opportunities for Property Investors

Network North is set to significantly improve connectivity across the UK, opening up new areas to investment and accelerating regional growth. Improved transport links, such as faster rail connections, upgraded roads, and better local bus services, typically lead to increased demand for both residential and commercial property. As journey times fall and accessibility improves, towns and suburbs previously considered less attractive become popular locations for commuters and businesses. This can drive up property values, further stimulate regeneration, and expand rental markets.

Areas gaining new or enhanced transport infrastructure often see faster capital growth and stronger yields, particularly in markets just outside major city centres. The regeneration directly supported by Network North, will likely bring new housing demand, retail footfall, and employment hubs, creating an attractive market for long-term investment.

By unlocking the potential of previously under connected areas, Network North offers investors a rare chance to get ahead of shifting demand and capitalise on the UK’s evolving market.

For opportunities to invest in the North, click here.

The Replacement of the Northern HS2 Route

With the cancellation of Phase 2, the HS2 northern leg will no longer go ahead. However, Phase 1, connecting London and Birmingham, will still be delivered along with a revised plan for the Euston station. The government has committed to ensuring that the funding originally allocated for the HS2 northern leg is not lost. Instead, it will be fully reinvested into transport infrastructure across the country through the Network North programme.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated he will reinvest all of the £19.8 billion previously allocated for the HS2 northern leg into the cities, towns, and rural areas that would have benefited from it. This includes major improvements to connectivity across key Northern cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford. These upgrades will deliver increased rail capacity, significantly reduced journey times, and new stations to support regeneration and growth.

In addition to the HS2 funding, an extra £12 billion will be invested specifically to enhance links between Manchester and Liverpool, forming a key part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Meanwhile, the Midlands will benefit from £9.6 billion in reinvested funding to support new and improved transport schemes across the region.

Major Rail Upgrades in the North

As part of the Network North investment, over £2 billion is being committed to integrate Bradford into the Northern Powerhouse Rail network. Network North includes the construction of a new rail link and a brand-new station. This will dramatically reduce journey times to Manchester to just 30 minutes via Huddersfield, nearly halving current travel times.

The new station will not only improve regional connectivity but also serve as a major driver for urban regeneration in Bradford, the UK’s seventh-largest city. The upgrade will double capacity and create space for up to 1,000 additional seats per hour, significantly improving passenger experience and service frequency.

Connections to and from Hull will also be improved through electrification and line speed upgrades on routes to Leeds and Sheffield. These enhancements will mean the journey from Leeds to Hull will be cut from 58 to 48 minutes, and the Hull to Manchester journey will be reduced from 107 to 84 minutes. Service frequency will also improve, with the number of trains between Hull and Sheffield doubled, and the introduction of two fast trains per hour to Leeds. These plans will support better access to jobs, education, and opportunities across the region.

In South Yorkshire, there are plans to upgrade and electrify the line between Sheffield and Leeds, increasing fast services from 1 to 3 or 4 per hour. A new mainline station in Rotherham will be built, bringing direct London services to the town for the first time in nearly 40 years. Overall capacity on this route will rise by an impressive 300%.

Furthermore, improving accessibility across the transport network is a key priority. As part of the commitment, up to 100 train stations will be upgraded to better support passengers with disabilities. These enhancements will include step-free access, improved signage, and accessible facilities, helping to ensure that everyone can travel with confidence and dignity.

Upgrading Roads Across the UK

One of the main projects in the Network North scheme is a £3.3 billion nationwide road resurfacing programme, designed to tackle potholes and enhance the quality and safety of road surfaces across Britain. This initiative will ensure smoother journeys and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

In the Midlands, significant upgrades are planned for key strategic routes, including the A50/500 corridor. This road, used by over 90,000 drivers daily, will see improvements aimed at relieving congestion and supporting regional economic growth.

Further North, investment will focus on strengthening transport links to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Targeted upgrades to the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer will improve one of the main road connections from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland via the Cairnryan ferry, enhancing reliability and journey times on this cross-border route.

Benefits for Towns, Suburbs, and Rural Areas

Transport improvements not only transform major cities, they also deliver significant benefits to the towns, suburbs, and rural communities that surround them. Enhancing connections between urban centres and their wider suburban areas plays a critical role in driving productivity and supporting local success. Improved accessibility enables a broader, more mobile workforce, which in turn makes cities more attractive to businesses. Furthermore, better local transport links help smaller towns and rural areas thrive by connecting them to economic hubs. As the OECD noted in 2018, large cities act as vital hubs of growth for their surrounding regions.

Targeted improvements for local transport, such as bus services, offer particularly strong returns. Government research found that 33 major bus schemes delivered a combined benefit-cost ratio of 2:1. Given that the majority of public transport journeys are by bus, and nearly three-quarters of trips are under five miles. Such improvements are essential for meeting everyday travel needs while delivering high economic value.