Major funding boost for trams across the English regions

Despite fears that the forthcoming government spending review would see funding removed from various transport projects across the English regions (outside of London) the reverse looks set to be the case with Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing £15.6 billion worth of funding during a speech in Greater Manchester. Whilst not all going to tram and light rail projects a sizeable chunk will go that way with a boost for projects in Manchester, Sheffield, the West Midlands, and West Yorkshire.

The tram/light rail headlines from the announcement include:

• Manchester (£2.5 billion) – Metrolink to Stockport, new tram-train services linking Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops in North Manchester, Bury and Oldham
• South Yorkshire (£1.5 billion) – renewal of the tram network including a fleet of new trams and the modernisation of tramstops.
• West Midlands (£2.4 billion) – extension to new sports quarter, the first phase of a line from East Birmingham to North Solihull
• West Yorkshire (£2.1 billion) – start of construction for a tram system linking Leeds and Bradford, due to open by mid-2030s
• North East (£1.8 billion) – Metro extension between Pelaw and South Hylton via Washington

Mass transit also features in the announcement for both the West of England (£0.8 billion) and the East Midlands (£2 billion). However, there is no guarantee that either will be tram based, although if any would be it would be the East Midlands plans who have previously considered it to link Nottingham and Derby.

Whilst many of these projects have been announced (several times over) this is the first time that many of them have been fully funded. The cash being released by the government is in addition to money from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (for the period 2022/3 to 2026/7) and is being described as the biggest ever investment in city region local transport.

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said: “Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of Government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off.”

The full results of the government’s spending review aren’t due until next week but this pre-release announcement is intended to provide reassurance that it won’t be a complete bloodbath for transport.

Various local metro Mayors were understandably delighted with the news. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester, commented: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030.

“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel.

“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.

“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.”

Exact details of routes and when new Metrolink and tram-train services may be introduced have yet to be announced but its hoped that this funding will allow these to start work sooner rather than later.

In the West Midlands there is more certainty over where the Metro extension will go. It is intended to link to the currently under construction Eastside extension to the new proposed Sports Quarter which will house a new 60,000 seated stadium for Birmingham City. It will also be the catalyst for a longer term plan to head out to North Solihull, the airport, NEC, HS2 Interchange and surrounding Arden Cross regeneration zone.

Richard Parker, Mayor of West Midlands, said: “This funding means we can now deliver a new Metro line to the Sports Quarter – connecting it to Birmingham city centre and unlocking one of the most significant private investments our region has ever seen.

“But this is just the beginning. This investment unlocks a nationally significant infrastructure project that will transform East Birmingham and North Solihull into one of the UK’s key growth corridors – driving thousands of new homes and jobs and bringing opportunity to communities that have been held back for too long.”

For the North east and the announcement rapidly led to Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the region, confirm that the first new Metro line in 30 years would be built. This will link Washington to the network for the first time, with a new line between existing Metro stations at Pelaw and South Hylton.

Kim McGuinness said: “When I was elected Mayor I promised voters I would extend the Metro and now, 12 months on, I can today announce that will happen. I am thrilled to say we can now get on with the job of building the first new Metro line for 30 years, at last connecting Washington to the rail network and linking tens of thousands of people to new jobs and opportunity in our growing advanced manufacturing sector.

“This is a game-changing moment for the people of our region, who can look forward to a truly world-class integrated public transport network, safer walking and cycling routes throughout our towns and cities, better local roads and a massive acceleration on our journey to an EV future.

“I promised to make the North East the home of real opportunity and deliver quality integrated transport that works for all.  This funding means that we can create the Angel Network with buses under public control, more electric buses running on time along priority corridors, and contactless smart travel whether you are on a bus a Metro or a train.

“We will improve accessibility and safety for women and girls through upgrades to railway stations, interchanges and bus stops, make walking and cycling routes attractive and build the best electric vehicle charging network in the country.”

And for West Yorkshire the news means they can continue to press ahead with their plans for a tram system to link Leeds and Bradford. This should see two initial lines built (Leeds line – St James’s University Hospital to the White Rose via city centre, Bradford line – between Bradford and Leeds City Centres) and comes after many years of hope, disappointment and abandoning of projects. The project has already had an initial consultation and the Combined Authority will publish preferred route options later this year.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It is time for trams – today is a huge moment for our region. The Chancellor’s backing means we now have the investment needed to bring trams back to the streets of Leeds and Bradford – improving public transport connections and boosting growth. We will also be able to take forward other vital projects, including new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield, which will help us create a better-connected region that works for all.”

The coming weeks, months and years will see more details on all these projects revealed with timelines of when we can enjoy the fruits of this funding but for now there is positivity for the future of public transport in these areas.