‌Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Southport this afternoon (September 27) and confirmed up to £20 million has been approved to restore the historic pier. NPR would see new lines developed across the major cities of the north – including one between Liverpool and Manchester. View 3 Images Trains at Liverpool Lime Street (Image: unknown)‌Its aim was to boost economic growth in northern England, including through improved rail services between Liverpool and Leeds, which often suffer delays and cancellations. The project was first proposed by former Tory chancellor George Osborne in 2014 before being shelved under Boris Johnson’s administration. Article continues below“At the Spending Review, that’s the first time there’s actually been money attached to Northern Powerhouse Rail, not just rhetoric, but actually money.