York and Humber rail strategy

has launched its consultation on a strategy to improve services for passengers and freight users throughout the Yorkshire and

region.

Covering routes including Leeds to Bradford, York and Hull to Leeds and Manchester, and Sheffield to Manchester as well as freight routes to ports, the Yorkshire and Humber route utilisation strategy (RUS) outlines how Network Rail proposes to deliver a network capable of coping with the predicted growth in rail use over the next 10 years.

Under the proposed strategy rail users could expect additional services, longer trains with more seats, as well as quicker journey times and better connections. The plan is also said to include options to carry out station upgrades such as building new platforms, and improving track layouts to increase capacity and reduce delays. Freight routes in the region will also benefit through gauge enhancement schemes to allow bigger containers to be carried, providing a boost to the ports and terminals they serve.

Demand for rail commuting into cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester, and freight services has grown considerably in recent years. The plan identifies what schemes and options need to be developed to help ease so-called ‘pinch-points’ and improve rail services for passengers and freight users.

David Pape, route director for Network Rail said: ‘The growth in demand for rail throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region is excellent news for the industry, but this success brings us more challenges as we work to deliver a rail service passengers and freight users expect and demand.

‘The publication of this draft strategy to meet these challenges marks the start of our consultation. The feedback we get will play an important role in shaping the future of the railway throughout the region.’