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BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Yorkshire businesses plea for government to back rail review
Businesses and industry groups from across Yorkshire have called on the government to commit to funding a £14bn plan for improved rail services in the Home Secretary Lord Blunkett's report, named Yorkshire's Plan for Rail, was published in May and called for an end to "creaking Victorian-era railways".An open letter was published earlier from firms and figures which asked Chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise rail spending in Yorkshire as a "down-payment on improving economic growth".The Department for Transport (DfT) said reliable and affordable public transport links were "essential for supporting jobs and driving economic growth". Those who signed the letter include universities, technology businesses, manufacturers, arts groups and newly promoted Leeds United as well as regional chambers of group, under the name the White Rose Partnership, "united to show their support for improving transport connectivity in a region that has been under invested in for decades", Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Yorkshire's elected mayor, Oliver Coppard, said while the multibillion-pound investment called for was a "challenge", it was also a necessary ambition."Being able to travel to, from and within Yorkshire is not an optional extra," he said. Lord Blunkett's rail review was commissioned by Yorkshire's three regional Labour mayors Tracy Brabin, Mr Coppard and David Skaith ahead of the government's Spending Review later this month which will see budgets set and priorities review called for increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, as well as a new station for Bradford connected to the main trans-Pennine line.A new mainline station for Rotherham along with electrification of the line between Sheffield and Leeds was also North Yorkshire, additional trains to Scarborough and Whitby were cited as a priority with a similar ask for the Penistone Line in South Yorkshire and around Wakefield's Five Towns in West open letter said the plans were "not just about growing Yorkshire's economy, but about enabling our region to play its full part in the UK's".It outlined some of the plans in Lord Blunkett's review and added: "We know improving rail infrastructure requires significant funding, but we strongly believe that by prioritising investment in Yorkshire's rail network in the Spending Review will be a down-payment on improving economic growth and helping businesses and people to thrive." Tariq Shah OBE, co-chair of South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board and CEO of Vigo Group, said rail connectivity was "a vital step" in driving growth and improving access to jobs, education and innovation."This is not just a transport investment, it's a statement of ambition for our place," he Routh, executive director of Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre, said there was only one train an hour between York and Scarborough."We have audience members leaving before the end of a show so they don't miss their train," she explained."That potential hour wait is not going to encourage anyone to visit, or to come back."Ms Routh added that 80% of the theatre's audiences travelled by car because there was no viable alternative.A spokesperson for the DfT said it was already investing in the North and delivering transformational projects across the region, such as the multibillion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, plus "maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail".It said it would continue to work with local leaders to improve rail connectivity. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Metro
16-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
£14,000,000,000,000 plan to fix the north of England's 'broken' rail network
The proposal comes ahead of the government's spending review next month (Picture: Shutterstock) A £14billion plan to transform Yorkshire's old railway system has been proposed by a former home secretary. Yorkshire's Plan for Rail, put forward by Lord Blunkett, calls for increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, a new through-station for Bradford and a mainline station at Rotherham. Other proposals include electrifying the line between Leeds and Sheffield and increasing the frequency of services for places such as Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield district's Five Towns. But this all comes at a cost. The first phase of improvements would need £2.4billion of government investment from now until 2030. This is in addition to the £2.5billion needed for a tram network in West Yorkshire and extension into South Yorkshire. A map of Yorkshire's plan for rail (Picture: West Yorkshire Combined Authority) One plan is to increase the frequency of services between towns and cities in the north (Picture: PA) This plan comes ahead of the government's spending review next month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will decide which infrastructure projects across the country will get funding. At a time when there are calls to improve the transport system in the north of England, Lord Blunkett's review could persuade ministers and civil servants. Lord Blunkett has said that this will be 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to improve connectivity and unlock economic growth in the region. If the investment goes ahead, it could add £20billion to the region's economy over the next decade and help generate 83,000 jobs and the building of 210,000 new homes. The review has been launched alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith in Leeds. Lord Blunkett said: 'Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement, external and this infrastructure plan, the three Mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend. There are calls for better connections between the north and London (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire) 'It's been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all.' Ms Brabin said the rail network in Yorkshire is 'no longer fit for purpose' and investment is needed to help the younger generation. Mr Skaith said: 'In York and North Yorkshire, that means two trains an hour between York and Scarborough, upgraded stations at Malton, Seamer and Scarborough, and a new station at Haxby. 'We need to push forward with the transformation of York Station to maximise the benefits of York Central, one of the most significant regeneration sites in the country.' Mr Coppard said better connections to London, improved stations and more trains are needed. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major £14bn plan to fix 'broken' rail system in English region: Two new stations, capacity upgrades and electrification to speed up journeys
A major £14billion plan to fix Yorkshire's 'broken' rail system' was unveiled today, including building two new stations and increasing capacity at three hubs. Former home secretary Lord Blunkett said the proposal 'presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' improve connectivity and unlock economic growth in the region. The Labour peer has published an infrastructure plan which recommends building a new through-station for Bradford and a mainline station at Rotherham. The report also outlines the need for increasing capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, as well as upgrades and electrification between Leeds and Sheffield. Increasing the frequency of services for places including Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield district's Five Towns is also part of the proposal. The plan launched with the metro mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire calls on the Government to deliver on its promises to back transport in northern England. Sheffield-born Lord Blunkett, who was home secretary from 2001 to 2004, said Yorkshire's Plan for Rail would deliver a huge boost to jobs, growth and new housing. He is launching the plan in Leeds today alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, who signed the White Rose Agreement earlier this year to work together. York station (pictured) would also get a capacity upgrade as part of Lord Blunkett's plans Lord Blunkett said: 'Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement and this infrastructure plan, the three mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend. 'It's been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all. 'By taking action now, the benefits of releasing capacity, speeding up journeys, improving reliability and running more frequent services will be felt not just here, but across the North, Midlands and beyond. It's time to back Yorkshire.' Lord Blunkett's review outlines how a 'creaking Victorian-era infrastructure' is holding back a region of 4.6million people, with poor and unreliable services regularly failing to meet the needs of passengers and businesses. It sets out a need for substantial investment as part of the Government's proposed 10-year infrastructure plan and spending review later this year, with £2.4billion required between now and 2030, and approximately £14billion in total. The report said targeted rail investment has the potential to add £20billion to the region's economy and could help generate an extra 83,000 jobs. Mayor of West Yorkshire Ms Brabin said: 'A lack of investment stretching back decades has left Yorkshire with a rail network no longer fit for purpose. 'This is holding back ambitious growth plans for our regions which will put more money in people's pockets. 'We owe it to everyone, especially younger generations, to secure our fair share of funding so the region's train services are suitable for the modern age, getting passengers to where they need to go, when they want to go.' The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Mr Skaith said: 'Working together, we can drive real change and boost opportunities across our region. 'This is a credible, long-term plan to deliver the connectivity our communities need - creating better access to jobs, education and investment.' And South Yorkshire's Mayor Mr Coppard said: 'David Blunkett has, for the first time, made clear the problems created by decades of under-investment across the whole of Yorkshire and given us a plan for fixing them, working together across the whole of God's Own Country.' He added: 'Ultimately, we simply want reliable, effective rail services, so we can get to work, see friends and family or just go for a night out. 'Through this plan, there is a pathway with a phased approach to fix our broken rail system.' The Department for Transport said it will consider Lord Blunkett's recommendations carefully, stressing that it is committed to improving transport across the North. A spokesman said: 'Reliable and affordable public transport links are essential for supporting jobs and driving economic growth, key to our Plan for Change, and making travelling quicker, easier, and greener. 'We are investing in the North and delivering transformational projects across the region, such as the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, and we're maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail by progressing planning and design works to support future delivery. 'We will continue to work with local leaders to improve rail connectivity.' It said it has asked Network Rail to maintain development work for updates at Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford, and is supporting West Yorkshire's mass transit plans by providing £200million development funding. The department also said it had prioritised funding to develop plans for a new Rotherham Mainline station and to renew the Supertram network, connecting Sheffield and Rotherham. And it said that, under Great British Railways, there will be a statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network. The announcement comes two days after a new railway line between Liverpool and Manchester that would 'punch well above its weight' was proposed by regional leaders in the North West. Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, alongside former rail minister Huw Merriman, are urging the Government to support the plans. A report outlining the case for the new Liverpool-Manchester Railway states it would cut journey times between the city centres to 32 minutes, compared with an average of 49 minutes currently. It would also bring more than half a million more people within 30 minutes of the destinations. The line would run from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly, with stops at a new Liverpool Gateway station, Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lord Blunkett outlines £14bn Yorkshire rail plan
A multi-billion pound plan to fix Yorkshire's "creaking Victorian-era" railways has been put forward by the former home secretary Lord by the mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire, Lord Blunkett said the region had been held back by ageing infrastructure, poor performance and unreliable Plan for Rail sets out a £14bn investment package calling for increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, a new through-station for Bradford and a mainline station at Blunkett said the proposal offered "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to improve connectivity and unlock economic growth in the region. Other improvements include electrifying the line between Leeds and Sheffield and increasing the frequency of services for places such as Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield district's Five first phase of improvements would need £2.4bn of government investment between now and 2030. This would be in addition to the £2.5bn funding needed to bring trams back to West Yorkshire and investment for tram extension and renewal in South to Lord Blunkett's review, the targeted investment could add £20bn to the region's economy over the next decade. It could also help generate an extra 83,000 jobs and contribute to the building of 210,000 new homes. Lord Blunkett will launch his review alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith in said: "Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement and this infrastructure plan, the three Mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend."It's been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all."Brabin said Yorkshire's rail network was "no longer fit for purpose" and they owed it to younger generations to secure funding for train services fit for the added: "In York and North Yorkshire, that means two trains an hour between York and Scarborough, upgraded stations at Malton, Seamer and Scarborough, and a new station at Haxby."We need to push forward with the transformation of York Station to maximise the benefits of York Central, one of the most significant regeneration sites in the country."In South Yorkshire, Coppard called for more trains, station improvements and better connections to Leeds, York, Manchester, London and elsewhere."Ultimately, we simply want reliable, effective rail services, so we can get to work, see friends and family or just go for a night out," he said."I want to see Sheffield fully electrified, a new station at Rotherham, more capacity at Doncaster and new services between Barnsley and London." The Department for Transport said it would consider Lord Blunkett's recommendations carefully, stressing that it was committed to improving transport across the North.A spokesman said: "Reliable and affordable public transport links are essential for supporting jobs and driving economic growth, key to our Plan for Change, and making travelling quicker, easier, and greener."We are investing in the North and delivering transformational projects across the region, such as the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, and we're maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail by progressing planning and design works to support future delivery."We will continue to work with local leaders to improve rail connectivity."The DfT said it had asked Network Rail to maintain development work for updates at Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford, and is supporting West Yorkshire's mass transit plans by providing £200 million development department also said it had prioritised funding to develop plans for a new Rotherham Mainline station and to renew the Supertram network, connecting Sheffield and added that, under Great British Railways, there would be a statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
‘Scandal hidden in plain sight': Death toll of abolished jail term climbs to 94 after fresh wave of self-inflicted deaths in prison
Four more prisoners serving indefinite jail terms described as 'psychological torture' have taken their own lives in Britain's prisons, The Independent can reveal, taking the total number of self-inflicted deaths to 94. Experts have described the crisis as a 'scandal that is being hidden in plain sight' and an 'industrial-scale miscarriage of justice' as prisoners trapped under abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) jail terms continue to take their own lives. A further 37 released IPP prisoners took their own lives in the five years to April 2024, according to government figures, as many struggle with strict licence conditions which leave them in constant fear of recall. On 9 February 2024 a prisoner serving an IPP sentence died at Category C HMP Warren Hill in Suffolk, according to records obtained by The Independent via Freedom of Information request. Another self-inflicted death took place at high security HMP Frankland in Durham the following month. On 29 June, a man on an IPP sentence died inside HMP Swaleside – a medium security prison in Kent where 14 men died in the two years August 2024. A fourth self-inflicted death was recorded on 29 October at HMP Wymott, in Lancashire, where inspectors warned in 2023 accommodation was cramped and 'beyond repair'. It comes after nine IPP prisoners took their own lives in 2023, the highest annual total on record, including Sean Davies who wrote in a suicide note that he had taken his life because her saw 'no chance of being released' from his IPP jail term. The architect of the flawed sentence, Lord Blunkett, described the latest loss of life as a 'terrible tragedy' which should focus minds on action to help IPP prisoners. He admits he regrets introducing the open-ended jail terms when he was home secretary under Tony Blair in 2005. They were abolished in 2012 due to human rights concerns, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands languishing without release dates, including for minor crimes, until a Parole Board says they are safe for release. Cases highlighted in The Independent include Leroy Douglas, who has served almost 20 years for stealing a mobile phone; Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for stealing a phone; James Lawrence, 38, who is still in prison 18 years after he was handed an eight-month jail term; and Abdullahi Suleman, 41, who is still inside 19 years after he was jailed for a laptop robbery. Of 2,614 people still incarcerated on an IPP jail term, almost 700 have served at least 10 years longer than their original minimum term. Successive governments have refused to resentence IPP prisoners, despite calls from the justice committee and the UN special rapporteur on torture amid high rates of suicide and self-harm. Labour peer Lord Woodley, whose private members bill for IPP prisoners to be resentenced will not succeed without government support, said: 'Ministers accept the importance of resolving the IPP scandal but there is still a lack of bravery and common decency, with the government refusing to consider a resentencing exercise – widely seen as the only effective way to resolve this industrial-scale miscarriage of justice. 'This is causing great harm to prisoners and their loved ones, and each devastating story reminds us why swift and decisive action is needed.' The United Group for Reform of IPP, which has tracked each self-inflicted death in custody, said each death was 'preventable' and would leave behind a family who will face a 'lifetime of pain'. 'All of these deaths would have been preventable, if the government had summoned the fortitude to do what has been called for by so many people and organisations for many years,' a spokesman added. 'If the current government finally put an end to IPP sentences they could prevent future deaths by those who have served their sentence many times over.' Last year prisons minister Lord Timpson said he was determined to support IPP prisoners but insisted the government would not consider a resentencing exercise which overrules the Parole Board as this would create an 'unacceptable risk of harm'. Instead, prisoners must work towards release through a refreshed IPP Action Plan, he said. Lord Blunkett told The Independent that he is impressed with Lord Timpson's determination to make progress, but added: 'The terrible tragedy of lost life by long-serving IPP prisoners should focus everyone's minds on action – both to safeguard and to speed up the potential release.' Richard Garside, from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said: 'This is a scandal that is being hidden in plain sight. Ministers acknowledge the problem, but offer underpowered solutions that are not up to scratch. 'If we are to judge ministers by what they do, rather than what they say, we would have to conclude that they either don't recognise the seriousness of the harm the IPP sentence is causing, or don't care enough to resolve it.' A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'It is right that IPP sentences were abolished. With public protection as the number one priority, the Lord Chancellor is working with organisations and campaign groups to ensure appropriate action is taken to support those still serving these sentences, such as improved access to mental health support and rehabilitation programmes.' If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you.
