Rail upgrade on track
Bo Wilson12 April 2012
Multi-billion-pound plans to upgrade the rail network are being put to the Government this week.
The industry's proposals include doubling capacity in northern England and improving the ageing signalling system. The £560million Northern Hub scheme would mean four fast trains every hour between Liverpool and Manchester and six between Manchester and Leeds.
It is part of a spending plan for Network Rail over the next five-year regulatory period. For the current period, to the end of March 2014, Network Rail is working with a budget of £35billion to run the railways. Works include the £5billion upgrade of the Thameslink route and improving the Great Western Line between London and Cardiff.
