Rail: £200m boost for regional trains

A £200m investment in regional rail schemes was announced by the Chancellor yesterday.

One of the projects will involve a new stretch of track to improve journey times in the Liverpool and Manchester area. Another involves the long-awaited redoubling of the 12.5-mile single track between Swindon in Wiltshire and Kemble in Gloucestershire. Supporters of the £45m project were concerned it would fall victim to spending cuts.

The £85m northern England scheme will enable First TransPennine trains from Leeds, York, Hull, Middlesbrough and Newcastle to use Manchester Victoria station and continue on to Liverpool as well as Manchester Airport station.