York and Humber rail strategy

has launched its consultation on a strategy to improve services for passengers and freight users throughout the Yorkshire and

region.

Covering routes including Leeds to Bradford, York and Hull to Leeds and Manchester, and Sheffield to Manchester as well as freight routes to ports, the Yorkshire and Humber route utilisation strategy (RUS) outlines how Network Rail proposes to deliver a network capable of coping with the predicted growth in rail use over the next 10 years.

Under the proposed strategy rail users could expect additional services, longer trains with more seats, as well as quicker journey times and better connections. The plan is also said to include options to carry out station upgrades such as building new platforms, and improving track layouts to increase capacity and reduce delays. Freight routes in the region will also benefit through gauge enhancement schemes to allow bigger containers to be carried, providing a boost to the ports and terminals they serve.