Andy Burnham has become prime minister, giving him direct power to address rail problems in the north of England that he long criticised as mayor of Greater Manchester. The article examines two major unresolved issues he is now positioned to tackle: reviving a high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester after the northern leg of HS2 was scrapped, and overhauling the troubled Avanti West Coast intercity service, which has been plagued by poor punctuality and cancellations.

Rishi Sunak axed HS2's northern leg in 2023, prompting Burnham to work with West Midlands mayors on a cheaper alternative connecting the two city regions; in January, government plans under Keir Starmer included an "intention to build" such a line, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander says a capacity study is now being fast-tracked. On Avanti, Burnham opposed the renewal of its contract, and the operator is set to be renationalised under Great British Railways in spring 2027, with a government source saying continued poor performance could bring that date forward.