It was a proposal from the government that was not without controversy, and now that the House of Commons Transport Committee has said politicians need to revisit its Integrated Rail Plan, a number of figures have stepped forward in approval.
As reported, the committee has asked government revisit key points behind the Integrated Rail Plan, such as the Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 elements, in terms of measurements like value and benefit-cost ratios.
Transport for the North
Transport for the North said it wholeheartedly welcomes today’s report.
Transformation of the rail network, it said, is at the heart of realising the North’s economic potential, of connecting people to opportunities and making real progress in decarbonising our transport system.
Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive of Transport for the North, said: “This report is a vindication of what TfN has been calling for some time. London and the South East has seen vast sums spent on HS1, the first phase of HS2, on the new Elizabeth Line, and the Thameslink upgrade. Meanwhile the North’s ageing and creaking rail network has had little in the way of new infrastructure or expansion of services. And yet the North’s railway has recovered faster and stronger than the rest of the country, a sure sign of not only how important it is to our economy now but of its potential to be the catalyst for further growth.
“Our plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail are fully-costed and have a robust evidence base to underpin them – they will provide a good return on their investment by allowing the North to break free of the constraints that have held back our economy for too long.
“In particular we are very pleased that the committee has asked for the government to reconsider the case for a new station in Bradford. We have long believed that this investment is vital to unlock the potential of this great Northern city, whose people are underserved by their location on a branch line off the Leeds-Manchester route. And we fully support the committee’s call for an underground station at Manchester to be re-examined and to commit to the redevelopment of Leeds Station. Cities like Liverpool, Sheffield, Hull and Newcastle also deserve substantial investment so they are not left behind.“As the report says it is vital that this once-in-a-generation opportunity is not missed. We look forward to working with the government to build on this report and re-examine the case for transformational investment in the North. We say to the government: We’ve done the work together. Now let’s get on and deliver for the North and Midlands together.”
RIA North
RIA North also joined with Transport for the North in welcoming the Transport Committee’s take.
RIA North Chair Justin Moss said: “RIA North welcomes the Transport Select Committee’s call to revisit the Integrated Rail Plan, to further consider the Northern cities that were excluded from the plans and the benefits of a connected North to the future economy. And we are happy to work with the Transport Select Committee to better understand how the enhanced connectivity related to the IRP increases investment, supports skills, and reduces carbon.
“However, we cannot afford this to be an excuse to delay the plans already committed in the IRP. Furthermore, alongside the IRP, we continue to call for the HS2 Eastern Leg and Northern Powerhouse Rail schemes be reinstated in full, as only by doing so will the full benefits of both schemes be realised, benefiting not just the North but the whole of the UK and its towns, cities and communities.”
