Network Rail announces five-year investment programme

Rail bosses say passenger services will improve under a five-year investment programme.
Official opening of Wakefield Westgate railway station with Patrick McLoughlin transport secretary.Official opening of Wakefield Westgate railway station with Patrick McLoughlin transport secretary.
Official opening of Wakefield Westgate railway station with Patrick McLoughlin transport secretary.

Network Rail said there would be more trains, more seats, reduced congestion and improved stations as a result of the investment in the busiest parts of Yorkshire’s train lines.

The investment includes £247m to provide extra space to reduce bottlenecks for trains on the East Coast Mainline, which runs through Wakefield Westgate railway station.

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There will be extensions to platforms at stations around West and South Yorkshire to allow for longer trains and more passengers.

Network Rail said the investment would provide 700 more trains and space for 44m more passengers a year in the North of England.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “Our investment programme over the next five years will help to address the issues of congestion and ageing infrastructure to help drive up train performance.”