North secures historic transport investment

The UK Government has unveiled a landmark transport funding package for the North of England, marking the largest rail investment in the region in decades and signalling a significant boost for infrastructure suppliers across the UK.

Under its Plan for Change, the government will channel nearly £1.7Bn this year into upgrading local buses, roads and tram networks, alongside a £415M investment to transform the long-troubled TransPennine rail route—a move set to benefit contractors, consultants, and suppliers throughout the infrastructure supply chain.

The investment underscores a new approach to regional growth, with spending on local transport in the North now more than double that in the South, including London. Infrastructure firms will find new opportunities across a diverse range of projects from station builds to mass transit planning and delivery.

Key Opportunities:

• West Yorkshire Mass Transit System – Progressing with business case development expected by autumn, creating long-term prospects for design, engineering and construction firms.

• New Merseyrail Station in the Baltic Triangle – Construction to begin this autumn with completion due by spring 2028.

• Bury Interchange Redevelopment – Backed by an £80M investment to enhance bus and tram connectivity across Greater Manchester.

• £330M for road maintenance across Northern local authorities – supporting civil engineering, highways, and surfacing contractors.

• £270M in bus network investment, with procurement opportunities for vehicle suppliers and depot upgrades.

The funding package aligns with the government’s drive to empower regional mayors and local authorities with new devolved powers and resources. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The North has been held back for too long by a Victorian-era transport system. This downpayment for growth is a vote of confidence in the North’s potential, and a direct investment in the infrastructure that will unlock it.”

What This Means for the Infrastructure Sector

From civil engineering firms and rolling stock manufacturers to digital signalling providers and materials suppliers, this announcement provides long-term clarity and opportunity. The North’s infrastructure pipeline is now positioned as a critical driver of UK growth—offering a stable, investable environment for companies across the country.

With procurement expected to ramp up quickly, infrastructure providers are encouraged to engage with regional authorities and frameworks to secure early involvement in delivery planning.

For the UK’s infrastructure sector, this is not just an investment in transport—it’s a long-overdue investment in the North’s future.

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