The UK Government has signed an agreement with TransPennine Express and Northern Rail to provide extra rolling stock for the north of England.

In addition to more trains, TransPennine Express and Northern Rail will also maintain and increase capacity on key routes in the area.

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UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that the existing rail services will be maintained from May 2015.

The UK Department for Transport has also agreed a plan with Northern and TransPennine Express route operators to offer more carriages and seats.

"By helping people access work and leisure more easily, we are securing long-term economic growth across the region."

McLoughlin said: "Rail services across the north are vital for passengers and for the economy. By helping people access work and leisure more easily, we are securing long-term economic growth across the region.

"That is why we have worked hard with Northern and TransPennine Express to ensure we expand services and enhance passenger journeys."

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As part of the agreement, five Class 170 trains will be leased to Chiltern Railways and First TransPennine Express (FTPE) will retain four of the current fleet.

FTPE will provide an hourly increase in capacity between Preston, Bolton and Manchester by hiring six Class 156 trains from Northern Rail, which will operate between Manchester Airport and Blackpool North.

A number of the Class 185 trains, which operate between Manchester Airport and Blackpool, will be deployed to cover services between Manchester and Hull and Manchester and Cleethorpes.

Additionally, FTPE’s services between Liverpool, Manchester, West Yorkshire, Humberside, North Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Coast and the North East are planned to be operated by Class 185 trains.

Northern Rail is also considering changes to some of their services to provide the best possible solution and protect current capacity levels.

An hourly service is also planned to be maintained between Manchester Airport, Sheffield, Doncaster and Cleethorpes.

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