PASSENGERS from York could see big cuts in their rail journey times to other northern cities under a new strategy unveiled today (Tuesday, January 16).

At least 19 minutes would be sliced off the York to Manchester journey - and train capacity would also be expanded - through the construction of a new, additional line from Leeds to Manchester via Bradford, which could be used by York passengers heading, for example, to Manchester Airport.

Further time savings would come from a proposed upgrade of the route between York and Leeds, which would make use of a section of the new HS2 line near Church Fenton.

Journey times between York and Newcastle would also be reduced through a line upgrade, and passengers heading from Selby to Hull and Leeds would also benefit from a significant upgrade to the existing Leeds-Hull line via Selby.

The railway improvements are part of Transport for the North’s draft plan to revolutionise the North of England’s transport links over the next 30 years, which has gone out to public consultation.

It says boosting road and rail links could deliver a £100 billion economic boost and 850,000 additional jobs by 2050.

Transport for the North is set to be given statutory status in April, meaning its plans must be formally considered by the Government when decisions about transport investment in the North are made. It says its proposals would cost an additional £50 per person per year.

The group’s chairman, John Cridland, said: “Transport for the North’s vision is of a thriving North of England, where modern transport connections drive economic growth and support an excellent quality of life.

“For the first time, civic and business leaders and transport operators are speaking with one voice on transport to make sure the North fulfils its potential.

“Our plan proposes a revolutionary investment programme that will make it possible to travel to high-quality jobs.

“This is an ambitious programme that will improve our roads and railways, and will also drive a sea change in skills development in the North and ensuring we meet that historic gap in investment.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, West Yorkshire Combined Authority chair, said she was pleased to see the plan accepted the case for a Northern Powerhouse line from Manchester to Leeds and York via a stop in Bradford and looked forward to working with TfN to develop those proposals further.

Cllr Ian Gillies, executive member for transport at City of York Council, welcomed the publication of the plan, as well as the move towards more local influence and control over the funding, which he said could give York the transport links it needed.

He said the plans could be good for York’s long-held wishes to improve train connections across the north, adding: “I’ll take every opportunity to turn those plans into reality.”