Updated: Rail campaigners' concern over impact on Harrogate line after Government announcement

Last week’s announcement by the Labour Government of new rail investment plans for the north promises faster, frequent and reliable trains across Yorkshire, line improvements in the North East and better journeys between Manchester and Liverpool.

The first phase will prioritise upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now."

With £1.1 billion to progress planning and development work as soon as possible, the plans also include improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York railway stations tied to ongoing regeneration projects in those areas.

But the timescale of the programme and lack of detail for less high-profile parts of the rail network are raising concerns.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has been highlighting the pressing need to dual the single-track railway section between Knaresborough and York.

Speaking in Parliament, the Lib Dem MP said he recognised that the proposals put forward by the Labour Government offer more promise than the Conservatives’ record on Northern transport, which was marked by the mishandling of HS2, chronic underinvestment in the rail network, and a loss of public confidence in the UK’s ability to deliver major transport projects on time and on budget.

“It was very disappointing to see the York Area Capacity Scheme absent from today’s Northern Rail plans,” said Mr Gordon.

"Upgrading this scheme would relieve congestion at Skelton Junction, increase capacity, and strengthen connectivity across the North.

“These are precisely the improvements the Government must prioritise if it is serious about delivering its growth plans.

"But I am encouraged that the plans have not been ruled out for the future. I will continue to press for these upgrades to be delivered.”

Although independent campaigning group Railfuture Yorkshire is supportive of the revival of Northern Powerhouse Rail, it says it is “very disappointed” at its omissions, including, at this point, Harrogate.

Nina Smith, Railfuture Yorkshire chairman, said: “We welcome the Government’s new growth plan for the North but we are critical of some missed opportunities.

“We trust the improvements to York station will include providing an extra track to Skelton Junction for the service between York, Knaresborough and Harrogate.”

Northern Powerhouse Rail was put on hold by the Conservative government after years of talk in 2021.

The Labour Government has set a funding cap of £45 billion for the programme, including £1.1 billion which will be allocated from existing budgets first.

Nina Smith added: “Years of underinvestment have left Yorkshire’s rail network creaking at the seams.

"We are concerned that the proposals do not go far enough and will not be delivered fast enough.

"We cannot afford to wait until the 2030s for capacity enhancements at Leeds, Sheffield, York and Doncaster.”

David Skaith, the Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who comes from Harrogate, welcomed the news.

After meeting Chancellor Rachel Reeves on a visit to York, Mr Skaith said: "For too long the North has missed out on investment.

"Northern Powerhouse Rail puts York at the heart of a modern transport network for the North."