Dozens of latest trains to be inbuilt Britain to chop journey instances between main cities in North
Rail passengers in the North will access faster and more reliable journeys under a £1billion plan to build a new fleet of 29 battery-electric TransPennine Express trains in Britain
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘This significant investment embodies how GBR will deliver better journeys for people while backing British business’(Image: PA)
Rail passengers in the North will access faster and more reliable journeys under a £1billion plan to build dozens of new trains in Britain.
A new fleet of 29 battery-electric TransPennine Express trains will cut journey times by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York. Capacity will also be boosted by 30%, meaning thousands of additional seats a day across the Pennines by the early to mid-2030s.
Andy Burnham said the announcement shows “exactly what Great British Railways is all about” as he hailed the beginning of the end of trains not showing up.
The new trains, which are to be built in Derby’s historic Litchurch Lane Works site, are due to be built from 2028 and enter service from winter 2034. The new trains will operate services between key destinations across the North, including Liverpool Lime Street and Scarborough, Manchester Airport and Saltburn, and Manchester Piccadilly and Hull.
The battery-electric Adessia Stream trains, the first of their kind on a UK main line route, will provide emission-free travel on non-electrified sections of the railway. Ministers said this will mean quieter, smoother and more reliable journeys, as well as improved accessibility, more luggage space and onboard Wi-Fi.
The move is expected to support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby, alongside 40 apprentices and 40 students, while backing a further 6,000 jobs across the UK supply chain and generating around £360million for the wider economy. Prime Minister Mr Burnham said: “I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. And when that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities.
“Today that starts to change. These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation. It’s exactly what Great British Railways is all about – taking back control of the basics and getting Britain believing again.”
Taxpayers will not pay the upfront cost of building the trains, with investment supplied by rolling stock company, Rock Rail. Once they’re in service, they’re paid for by fares and the subsidy the government gives the railway. The trains will be bought by Rock Rail and leased to TransPennine Express.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “This significant investment embodies how GBR will deliver better journeys for people while backing British business. Passengers will be able to wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future. From Alstom’s factory floor in Derby to supply chains across the country, this deal will deliver growth, jobs, opportunity and better transport links for generations to come.”
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “This is a transformational £1billion investment in the future of rail travel across the North, delivering new trains for our customers as well as new infrastructure, new jobs and long-term economic benefits. Our customers will benefit from more seats and better accessibility, including level boarding.
“Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology.”
