Labour "Fails the North Again": East Riding Lib Dems Slam Exclusion of East Yorkshire from Rail Revitalisation

The East Riding Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Labour government’s latest rail announcement, branding it a "shameful abandonment" of the region. Despite promises of a "Northern Powerhouse," the government’s phased plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have notably excluded Hull and the East Riding, focusing instead on Leeds, Sheffield, and Manchester.

​For residents in the East Riding who rely on connections to Hull for work and travel, the lack of commitment to electrification and faster transit is a massive blow to the local economy.

​A Region Left in the Slow Lane

​Liberal Democrat leaders have been quick to point out that while the government talks about "unlocking growth," the Humber remains an afterthought. Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, expressed his deep frustration at the lack of progress:

​"It is an absolutely shocking failure from our Labour MPs and Reform UK mayor to see our region failed again when it comes to northern powerhouse rail. Hull has heard warm words and vague promises on rail investment for far too long."

​The exclusion is particularly stinging given the previous pledges to electrify lines between Hull, Leeds, and Sheffield. Without this infrastructure, the Humber and East Riding remains tethered to outdated, slower diesel services while the rest of the North moves ahead.

Westminster’s latest Northern railway update is a familiar betrayal for the East Riding, reinforcing a cycle of neglect and deepening the divide between places like Bridlington or  Withernsea and the South.   

Cllr Denis Healy, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at East Riding of 

Yorkshire Council said: “The Labour Government has removed £62m of funding over the next 3 years and £33 million a year there after from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and is now abandoning the region from its plans for proper rail connectivity.

East Riding has been let down by Labour in Westminster, its MPs in Hull and East Yorkshire and by our Reform Mayor who has achieved nothing in 8 months of office.” Cllr 

​National Failure to Deliver

​The disappointment is echoed at a national level. Liberal Democrats have long argued that the North deserves a fully integrated transport network, not just a series of disconnected upgrades in the "M62 corridor."

​Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson, previously highlighted the broader systemic issues with rail infrastructure delivery, noting the impact of government delays:

"The government’s failure to deliver on rail infrastructure is not just a matter of missed deadlines; it’s a failure to provide the green, reliable transport that our economy and our climate desperately need."

​Our Commitment: A Better Deal for Rail

​The Liberal Democrats believe that a modern rail network is a right, not a luxury. We are calling for the government to adopt Liberal Democrat Transport Policy, which prioritises the "Northern Powerhouse Rail" in its entirety, including the crucial links to the Humber.

​Our policy focuses on:

​Full Electrification: Ending the reliance on diesel and ensuring Hull is connected to the high-speed network.

​Accountability: Scrapping the "failing rail franchises" and moving toward a system that puts passengers before profit.

​Regional Equity: Ensuring that investment is distributed fairly across the North, not just centered on the largest cities.

​"We will deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail... to transform connectivity across the North of England."

​The East Riding deserves better than more "vague promises." We will continue to fight for the investment needed to bring our rail links into the 21st century.