Northern rail project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

The £45bn scheme to link cities across north of England with new or upgraded lines has no convincing or properly costed plan, committee says

Published 30 June 2026 355 words
BUSINESS B1
Northern rail project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

Members of parliament (MPs) are warning that a large rail project called Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) might have the same problems as the HS2 high-speed rail project. They say there is no clear plan for how to build it and stay within the £45bn budget.

The government has promised money for NPR, which aims to connect major cities in the north of England like Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York, and Sheffield with new or improved train lines. However, a group of MPs has reviewed the project and is not sure that the Department for Transport has learned from mistakes made on other big rail projects. They are worried that the full project might not be finished or give the expected benefits for the £45bn that has been set aside.

Plans for a better railway in the north of England were first talked about in 2014. While the current plan for NPR is more detailed, MPs still see a lot of uncertainty. They are unsure about journey times, how many trains will run, the exact routes, and who will be responsible for building the new lines. The MPs also question how the Treasury decided on the £45bn budget before the project was fully designed and its costs calculated.

MPs are concerned that the final part of NPR, a new line between Liverpool and Manchester, could be at risk. This is because the Department for Transport might not be able to keep the project within budget, or the cost estimates could be wrong. They also pointed out that HS2 Ltd is helping with some of the cost estimates, and the department has not managed the costs of rail projects well in the past.

One big question is whether a new underground station will be built at Manchester Piccadilly. The mayor of Manchester wants this, but it could cost £5bn more than a station built above ground. MPs feel that the government needs to explain how the £45bn budget was decided and how they will stick to it. They also want to ensure that local leaders have enough say in the project to make sure it is delivered successfully.

Vocabulary

risks repeating — has a chance of doing the same mistake or problem again.
within the budget — not spending more money than the amount planned or allowed.
uncertainty — not being sure about something; doubt.
costed — calculated the cost of something.
capacity — the maximum number of people or things that can be carried or handled.
scope — the extent of the area or subject that something deals with or to which it is relevant; the main plan or size of a project.
unresolved question — a problem or issue that has not been answered or solved yet.
scrutiny — close and careful examination or observation.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the main concerns MPs have about the Northern Powerhouse Rail project?
  2. Why do MPs believe this project might fail like HS2?
  3. What is the main disagreement regarding the station in Manchester Piccadilly?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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