Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leamside Line

Thursday 29 April 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Sharon Hodgson asked about the potential merits of fully reopening the Leamside line.
  • The Minister stated the proposal is being considered as part of the integrated rail plan.
  • The government aims to deliver on promises to the north-east, contrary to past Labour inaction.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sharon Hodgson Lab Washington and Gateshead South
Transport
Context

The Leamside line's full reopening is being assessed as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Previous announcements promised an update in March, but no news has been provided until now.

Question

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the full reopening of the Leamside line. We were told to expect an answer in March, then it was April, and now we are almost in May without any further news, so when can my constituents expect to find out if the Government intend to follow through on their promise to level up from Westminster to Wearside?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

We certainly intend to follow through on our promises to the people in the north-east and Wearside, something that decades of Labour disinterest in that area have failed to deliver. Ahead of finalising the integrated rail plan, we are fully considering the evidence from all stakeholders; we have had an awful lot.

Not addressed: Exact timeline for decision on Leamside line reopening

How: We Are Fully Considering The Evidence From All Stakeholders, Decades Of Labour Disinterest In That Area

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Q2 Sharon Hodgson Lab Washington and Gateshead South
Transport
Context

The Leamside line's full reopening is being assessed as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Previous announcements promised an update in March, but no news has been provided until now.

Question

As the Minister said, the proposal to reopen the Leamside line in full is being considered as part of the integrated rail plan. We were told to expect an answer in March, then it was April, and now we are almost in May without any further news, so when can my constituents expect to find out if the Government intend to follow through on their promise to level up from Westminster to Wearside?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

We certainly intend to follow through on our promises to the people in the north-east and Wearside, something that decades of Labour disinterest in that area have failed to deliver. Ahead of finalising the integrated rail plan, we are fully considering the evidence from all stakeholders; we have had an awful lot.

Not addressed: Exact timeline for decision on Leamside line reopening

How: We Are Fully Considering The Evidence From All Stakeholders, Decades Of Labour Disinterest In That Area

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)