Rail upgrade ‘will actually happen’ after delays, Reeves says

Major rail improvements in England’s north “will actually happen”, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said, as she acknowledged the HS2 rail project had become a “byword” for disastrous planning.

Her comments came as the government set out its vision for improved links between England’s northern towns and cities in a bid to transform the region and boost the UK economy.

The multibillion pound scheme, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), aims to deliver faster journeys and more frequent trains through upgraded and new lines, and improvements to stations.

It has been more than a decade since such a project was first proposed, but Reeves said improvements should be felt by the early 2030’s.

However, parts of the plan that require new…