Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline schemes: a brief history and description of each project

The government's Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline lists 20 projects that it will fund in the Spending Review period.

Here, RAIL briefly outlines the history of each one and what stages the various projects have reached.

Transpennine Route Upgrade

Already announced in June’s Spending Review, the government is pledging £3.5 billion to maintain progress on the TRU, which is expected to be nearly complete by the end of the Spending Review period.

East West Rail to Cambridge

Long-running project. Services between Oxford and Milton Keynes due to start in the coming months, with freight already using the route.

Midlands Rail Hub

First given tentative backing in the Integrated Rail Plan, but only received full support in February 2024 from the Conservative government. Costed at £1.75bn, the west chord connecting the Camp Hill Line to Moor Street station forms a key part of the plans.

However, the east chord, which aimed to provide direct trains into Birmingham Moor Street from Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, has been paused.

New rail schemes for Wales

Announced in the Spending Review on June 11, £445 million of funding will go towards projects including capacity improvements across the country.

Adding capacity at Oxford

Announced in 2022 by the Conservatives, who said it would be completed by August 2024. Then costing £161m, work includes new track, a new through platform and new entrance. Track and signals were upgraded in 2023.

Improving Leeds Station

Started by Leeds City Council in the late 2010s, it was transferred to Network Rail by the Conservative-led Department for Transport in mid-2021. Project includes a new central overbridge, new entrances/exits, and a lengthened Platform 14.

In February 2023, the DfT approved £36.4m of funding for detailed design work to be completed.

Services in the Leeds area

Work started in 2021 to remove capacity and performance constraints through signalling upgrades, switches and crossings improvements, and track realignment. Scheme also includes Platform 0 at Bradford Forster Square, which opened in May.

Rail services across Manchester

Originally announced by the Conservative government in 2023, the £72m package includes upgrades to Platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road, track improvements, and new ‘bi-mode’ train stabling at Longsight depot.

Passenger services to Portishead

On-off scheme that’s taken 25 years to reach this point. The West of England Combined Authority said in February it had agreed a deal with the government for the final funding, but full business case was only approved in the spring.

New station at Wellington

More than £6m has already been spent on the business case and design work. Mentioned in the Conservatives’ Network North document of October 2023, the local MP said work would have already started had it not been paused for the Spending Review.

New station at Cullompton

First feasibility study was paid for in 2016. Project secured Restoring Your Railway funding in 2020 and was listed in Network North.

Planning permission for nearby housing estate, with provisions for station access, was given in May 2024. Labour had paused the project after the 2024 General Election.

Reopening of Haxby station

On-off plan that dates back to 1997. First funding was assigned in 2009. Planning application was submitted in February 2024 with the aim of opening in 2026, but was delayed by Spending Review.

New station at Cambridge South

Station is largely complete and expected to open in early 2026.

East Coast digital signalling

The East Coast Digital Programme was set up in 2020. First digitally signalled passenger train ran on the Northern City Line in 2023, with lineside signals between Finsbury Park and Moorgate removed in May 2025.

West Coast Main Line performance

Network Rail has been gradually improving power supply on sections of the WCML since 2020. It is currently upgrading sections of the line at Bushey (north of Watford) and at Penwortham (south of Preston).

Future upgrades and its scope of work are still in development.

East Coast capacity and frequency

Work includes Darlington station upgrade, which is due to be completed this year, along with ongoing work to upgrade East Coast Main Line power lines.
The review also confirmed approval for Peterborough station improvements, and further development of proposals for Tempsford interchange station with East West Rail (announced in January).

Electrification - Kettering to Wigston

Wires were declared safe and ready for electric trains in March 2025, after being energised the year before.

Euston station redevelopment

Work on construction of the HS2 station was paused in 2023. Plans for one single concourse to serve HS2, Great British Railways and London Underground services were revealed by Rail Minister Lord Hendy in December 2024.

Nexus signalling renewals

Business case to upgrade a 40-year-old signalling system was submitted earlier this year for a scheme costed at £400m.

Protecting future services between Old Oak Common station and the Chiltern Line

A bridge extension and the diversion of a high-voltage cable and under track crossing will keep a potential route linking the future Old Oak Common station with the Chiltern line. Current funding is for enabling works only and work to build the connection will be subject to a business case.