PM pledges £415 million to get the North moving

A West Yorkshire textile manufacturer hosted the Prime Minister last Friday (March 28) as he unveiled a major investment in Northern transport.

Sir Keir Starmer visited Camira’s Meltham manufacturing site to announce £415 million for rail improvements between Manchester and York, alongside nearly £1.7 billion for buses and roads across the North.

The Prime Minister, who revealed that his own train was delayed on the way to the event, said: “The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity. 

“But for too long, it has been held back by a Victorian-era transport system, stifling its potential. 

“I lived in Leeds for years, so I understand the real-world impacts – missed appointments, children late to school, work meetings rescheduled – all of which contribute to insecurity and instability for working people.

“My Government will not stand by and watch. 

“We are rolling up our sleeves, and today’s investment is a down payment for growth and a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries. 

“From the film studios in Bradford to life sciences in Liverpool and fintech in Leeds, it’s time that the North had a Government on its side to get the region moving again.”

Camira, which employs more than 630 people and produces eight million metres of fabric annually, is a key supplier to UK transport operators, and welcomed the announcement alongside West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, Colne Valley MP Paul Davies and Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal. 

Alan Williams, chief executive of Camira, added: “We were very grateful to the Prime Minister, the mayor of West Yorkshire and our local MPs for visiting Camira. 

“It was fantastic to introduce them to many of our key staff members, who are vital to the success of our business.

“This investment will be crucial for businesses across the North that rely on transport services to get to work. 

“Camira has long been a supplier of fabrics for the transport sector, so we are particularly pleased to hear about the major investment planned for this industry.”

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