Northern Powerhouse Rail will apparently bring new and upgraded routes from east to west of the region, linking Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. Away from the actual tracks though, the scheme could come to represent a welcome change in the direction of travel for public transport more generally. Delivery of the project will also involve a large amount of collaboration between the London-based Department for Transport (DfT) and politicians in the north of England. A broad mix of tactics to achieve this might include high-speed rail, intercity coaches, private car travel and digital connectivity through virtual meetings. Northern Powerhouse Rail therefore becomes a test not just of investment ambition, but of institutional and operational design.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 16, 2026 08:47 UTC