Rail Union Welcomes Birmingham–Manchester Link but Demands Urgent Action

Rail union TSSA has given a cautious welcome to the government’s stated ambition to create a new rail connection between Birmingham and Manchester, while warning that firm details and rapid delivery will be crucial if the project is to succeed.

The union, which represents staff directly employed by HS2, has previously criticised the former Conservative government’s decision to cancel high-speed rail plans north of Birmingham. TSSA argued that the move would leave the rail network without sufficient capacity and undermine long-term transport needs.

Attention has now turned to proposals expected to be set out by the Chancellor for new and upgraded rail links across the North of England under the banner of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The scheme is intended to improve connectivity between major cities and address long-standing infrastructure constraints.

TSSA said the announcement raised expectations but stressed that workers and passengers had heard similar commitments before, only for projects to be postponed or abandoned. The union said the next steps would be critical in determining whether the plans amount to meaningful change or another missed opportunity.

Commenting, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said:

"This announcement seems to be long on aspiration but desperately short on delivery details. The fact remains that following nearly 15 years of Conservative austerity, rail workers and millions of passengers have heard too many promises about transforming northern rail, only to see projects delayed, diluted or dropped. It’s vital the government acts at pace to deliver these plans and signal a break with the austerity of the past, funding projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail by properly taxing the super-rich, not just ordinary hard-working people. If not, this risks becoming another press release instead of a plan, with delays, exclusions and public trust once again paying the price.”

Image: TSSA