Commenting on the National Audit Office report on Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) has been an important rail investment programme for the north of England since it was first announced in 2014, and we recognise the current Government’s commitment to progressing the plan.

“The NAO is right to highlight the need for NPR to be aligned with existing investment and growth plans from Network Rail, Combined Authorities and HS2, as well as the importance of ‘appropriate governance arrangements between the national and local level or between the different central government departments responsible for delivering the programme’s benefits.’ This will be particularly important as the railway moves towards the establishment of Great British Railways.

“The report also highlights how the programme has evolved over more than a decade, with changes to scope linked to wider rail policy decisions. For the rail supply chain, this underlines why long-term clarity and consistency are so important. Businesses need confidence in the scope, delivery timetable and funding profile of major projects if they are to invest in skills, facilities and innovation.

“RIA and our members now look forward to greater certainty on the implementation schedule and committed budgets for the three phases of the NPR plans. With a clear pipeline in place, the rail industry will be well placed to deliver the infrastructure improvements needed to support economic growth and better connectivity across the North.”