Government invests in northern digital railway plans to improve trans-Pennine

The UK government is developing plans for Britain’s first digital intercity railway in the north, as it invests US$17.5 billion (£13 billion) in improving journeys across the region.

As part of the Great North Rail Project, major upgrades are being developed for the TransPennine route between Manchester, Leeds and York from 2022 - to slash journey times between Leeds and Manchester to 40 minutes.

Digital signalling technology is already in operation on the London Underground and 5021 Network Rail will now develop options to make the TransPennine route the first digitally controlled intercity rail line in the country.

Network Rail will receive up to US$6.7 million (£5 million) to develop proposals for embedding digital technology between Manchester and York, including a system of advanced train traffic management – so that a computer works out how to route the trains most efficiently along the line.