Leeds and Sheffield head to Westminster to battle for better rail connectivity
No doubt enjoying a more comfortable and convenient journey than if they were to attempt the train ride to each other, leaders from both city councils will be making the case in London for rail improvements between the cities as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Leeds City Council Leader Cllr James Lewis and Sheffield City Council Leader Cllr Tom Hunt, alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, will be speaking at an event in the House of Commons on 22 October, calling for improved services between the two cities and key investment in their main rail stations.
Specifically, they are calling for a clear timetable and delivery plan to include four fast trains an hour between Sheffield and Leeds; investment in greater capacity at Leeds City Station, so it can become a hub for onward travel into the city once the trams are up and running; and improvements at Sheffield Midland Station
Currently, there is only one fast train an hour between Sheffield and Leeds, which still takes around 40 minutes to complete the 37 mile journey, with most options taking up to 1.5 hours.
Meanwhile, the commute from Leeds or Sheffield to London, measuring 196 miles and 168 miles respectively, both take around 2hr 15 minutes.
This, say the cities, is holding back growth across the region, with estimates from West Yorkshire Combined Authority stating that fixing the outdated Victorian infrastructure could add as much as £25bn, or 50%, to the combined GVA that Leeds and Sheffield generate.
The two cities’ requests were included in Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, which was written by Lord Blunkett and launched by three of Yorkshire’s regional Mayors in May this year.
Leeds City Council Leader 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.”
Sheffield City Council Leader 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.”
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.”
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, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect the UK’s first Investment Zone and Innovation Spine – right in the heart of South Yorkshire – to the wider Northern economy.”
