The revival of Northern Powerhouse Rail has been delayed, with no announcement forthcoming at the upcoming Labour Party conference.
Plans for a high-speed link between Liverpool and Manchester remain under extended review due to concerns over long-term costs.
The project, first proposed in 2014, aims to reduce travel times between northern cities and support regional economic growth outside London.
Previous announcements were expected during the June Spending Review, the government’s infrastructure strategy, and the publication of key infrastructure pipelines, but none have materialised.
Changes to the project have been made under successive governments. The rail line was central to a wider “Northern corridor” regeneration strategy. Key ministers who supported the initiative are no longer in office.
