West Yorkshire rail services need to revitalise and boost U.K economy says Combined Authority

By Olivia Russell
Northern Rail services are desperate for ‘vital’ investment which will help-rebalance the U.K economy, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
This summer, TransPennine Express reported they were running at 102 per cent of peak capacity into Leeds (July 2019).
Despite some stability returning to the network, an estimated 114 passengers are left behind at stations every day on Northern services on the Calder Valley line between Leeds and Manchester due to delays and overcrowding.
With constant disruption and delays, the north needs vital investment when it concerns transport and public infrastructure, the additional expenditure would deliver economic outcomes and further connect the north with the rest of the country.
Improvement in services would accommodate the surplus of commuters travelling daily on West Yorkshire train lines. The capacity of passengers far stretches the current services in place.
Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority said:
“Industry measures, which are disappointing enough, offer only a partial picture of the disruption to families and business caused by the poor performance of the rail network in the north”.
“Good transport links underpin a region’s economic prosperity and is the key to tackling climate change and improving air quality”.
“The North will only have the modern reliable transport network it needs with investment in extra capacity and that it includes HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail with a line through Bradford City Centre”.