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Question
Critiques the Government’s decision, arguing it undermines levelling up efforts by delaying rail infrastructure improvements in areas like Hull and Bradford. Questions when the Secretary of State decided to ignore TfN's advice and what the fate of TfN will be if it continues advocating for a genuine Northern Powerhouse Rail line.
Minister reply
Clarifies that Transport for the North remains an advisory body, not a delivery body. The Department for Transport will become the sole client for delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail to ensure accountability. Emphasises £96 billion investment in railways to improve connectivity and capacity earlier than original plans.
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Question
Confirms TfN’s advisory role, urging focus on delivery of rail improvements and accountability mechanisms for those responsible.
Minister reply
Endorses clear accountability through the Department for Transport as sole client, maintaining that TfN will remain an important partner in providing advice while focusing on project delivery.
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Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Question
How dare the Minister stand there and talk down my right hon. Friend for her question? The funding that was promised has not been delivered. Powers to metro Mayors and councils in the north are being snatched away by a centralising Government, leading to smoke and mirrors with no new projects proposed.
Minister reply
Dear oh dear. Labour wants to stick to outdated plans that would give nothing for 10 years. Our plan delivers better journey times to almost everywhere, starting delivering improvements 10 years sooner.
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Question
Can the Minister set out how the integrated rail plan delivers the commitment I made within the journey times that she anticipates—and how much sooner it will now be delivered?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister was clear in committing to Northern Powerhouse Rail, with an initial focus on Manchester and Leeds. The integrated rail plan expands this to Liverpool and York.
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Question
Why does the Minister think this Government know better than the people and elected representatives of the north of England? When will the rest follow to the north, so that the people at the top of the Department truly understand the rundown and under-invested transport network?
Minister reply
60% of the north is now covered by mayoral combined authorities. We established Transport for the North. The number of staff in Leeds has gone above 100.
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Question
We should take no lectures from Opposition Members who, in 13 years in government, did not lay a single mile of electrification in my area, downgraded northern routes, ploughed money into the south and left northerners rattling around on decades-old Pacer trains. Can he look closely at the business case that has been submitted on restoring your railway fund for the Brigg line?
Minister reply
The restoring your railway fund announcement will be separate from the integrated rail plan, so more announcements to come on that along with the rail network enhancements pipeline.
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Question
What we have seen is a mishmash of broken promises and a silencing of the Government’s critics. How can the north have a say in its own future? Can he define exactly what a co-sponsor is and what its powers are?
Minister reply
We thank Transport for the North staff for developing options for Northern Powerhouse Rail. The TUPE discussions are ongoing, so we hope those staff will join DFT based in the north of England.
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Question
Will the Minister consider asking Transport for the North to look at an improved direct connection between Bradford and Manchester? It currently takes about an hour to travel that 40-mile journey.
Minister reply
The £100 million announced in the integrated rail plan is specifically to look at how we can get HS2 trains most effectively from East Midlands Parkway to Leeds. We are looking at whether it is the best long-term solution.
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Question
Critiques the Government's decision to strip Bradford of £30 billion growth over the next decade and urges a U-turn on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Minister reply
The Government does not intend to U-turn as spending billions on existing rail routes plus another £18 billion for a new line does not make economic sense. Journey times will be reduced from Bradford to Leeds, and the government continues to work with regional stakeholders.
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Question
Expresses disappointment regarding the decision affecting Bradford and asks if additional transport infrastructure can be delivered for Shipley.
Minister reply
The Government is investing in road investments, buses, and cycling initiatives. The minister supports the campaign for the Shipley eastern bypass.
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Question
Questions why TfN’s powers are being grabbed and how many people will lose their jobs.
Minister reply
No one is losing their job, but statutory functions remain the same. The plan delivers benefits to the north-east of England.
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Question
Requests more focus on Lincoln's transport infrastructure in strategic organisations like TfN.
Minister reply
The minister is keen to continue working with Karl McCartney for further improvements and investments, such as the midland main line electrification.
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Question
Asks why delivery mechanisms have changed and criticises the negative impact on the north's economy.
Minister reply
The change from co-clienting to sole-clienting is due to lessons learned from over-budget and delayed projects like Crossrail.
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Question
Welcomes improved connectivity but asks about further improvements, such as the electrification of the midland main line.
Minister reply
The minister confirms that Kettering will benefit significantly from recent investments and is keen to continue working on delivering benefits.
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Question
Critiques the Government's slashing of transport for the north and questions who will set out plans.
Minister reply
The £96 billion investment in railways is historic, and the government continues to work with Transport for the North.
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Question
Claims that TfN was partisan and suggests this move reflects Labour's loss of control over the north.
Minister reply
The minister appreciates the expertise from Conservative MPs, including Katherine Fletcher, and wants to work with sub-national transport bodies.
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Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
Asks why recommendations for electrification of the Hull to Selby line were ignored.
Minister reply
No advice was ignored, but after a 20-month review process, the government decided to deliver benefits sooner than under Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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Question
Requests a meeting to discuss further progress on the Leamside line.
Minister reply
The minister is more than happy to meet Paul Howell and work with him and local stakeholders for further progress.
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Question
Asks how the new integrated rail plan will increase capacity and connectivity, reducing fares.
Minister reply
The government is doubling or trebling capacity on key routes and has committed to further work to study HS2 trains from east midlands through to Leeds.
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Question
As a supporter of HS2, I was disappointed about the eastern leg not going up to Yorkshire. Can the Minister confirm that there is good news in the integrated rail plan for my constituents who use Huddersfield station, Slaithwaite station and Marsden station on the trans-Pennine route? Will investment be made in disabled access at Marsden railway station?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that as part of the trans-Pennine route upgrade, every single station in Jason McCartney's constituency will see massive investment, including to make them all fully accessible to disabled passengers.
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Question
The Northern Powerhouse Rail project was about joining up the local economies of the north with the transport system. Cutting this project will lead to connectivity and capacity loss, along with major disruption on the route. Will the Minister ensure that he meets the board of Transport for the North and finds a way forward?
Minister reply
The Minister spoke to Martin Tugwell, the chief executive of Transport for the North, the day before the integrated rail plan came out and continues to have regular conversations with them, keen to work closely as its role moves from co-client of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project to co-sponsor.
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Question
The eradication of Northern Powerhouse Rail will have a detrimental effect on constituents who use Greenfield station. Will the Minister meet the leaders of the north to discuss potential local financial contributions towards getting the new line via Bradford?
Minister reply
Last Thursday, the day the integrated rail plan was announced, the Minister met board members of Transport for the North to discuss plans. Although it is important to note that the process has concluded and if local funding is brought forward, they will certainly look at it.
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Question
The announcement scrapped high-speed lines from Sheffield to London, Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester. Is the Minister effectively ignoring Transport for the North's advice with this decision?
Minister reply
Transport for the North has never been a delivery body but remains keen on working with regional stakeholders. The midland main line electrification will deliver significant benefits sooner than anticipated compared to only 63 miles under Labour in the last 13 years.
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Question
The Minister is aware that a lot of the north is further north than York and there is political consensus for the reopening of the Leamside line to get extra capacity on the east coast main line. Where does this project lie, or will it be shelved?
Minister reply
While not funded as part of the integrated rail plan, the Department for Transport remains keen to work with local stakeholders to see how it could be delivered and notes that within £96 billion there is £3.5 billion for improvements to the east coast main line.
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Question
The Minister cannot get away from the fact this is an £18 billion cut to the capital programme, centralising investment decisions. Why will they build and invest at a slower rate than the Victorians did using pickaxes and shovels?
Minister reply
Over the coming years there will be an acceleration of investment in the midlands and north with Northern Powerhouse Rail delivering two brand-new lines far beyond anything committed to by previous Governments.
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Question
I pay tribute to Councillor Louise Gittins for campaigning for a half-hourly passenger service on the Wrexham to Bidston line. Can the Minister guarantee this will be delivered next year?
Minister reply
The rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, will have heard the pitch and is progressing with improvements to deliver the western leg of HS2 as early as possible, committed in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward a Bill for significant benefits to Cheshire.
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Question
The north-east was abandoned with this announcement. Can the Minister guarantee investment in the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line will continue in earnest without reduction?
Minister reply
We are getting on with investing and levelling up the north-east of England by reopening the Northumberland line, spending more on the east coast main line, and eradicating Pacers under this Government.
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Question
The integrated rail plan came as a bitter blow to Merseyside doing almost nothing for connectivity, capacity or times and could cost millions due to disruption. Does the Minister agree that constituents in Birkenhead have been let down?
Minister reply
No, he looks forward to continuing to work with Mayor Rotheram and local stakeholders to deliver transformational improvements to Liverpool as part of the £96 billion biggest ever Government investment.