Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Integrated Rail Plan

Monday 29 November 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The integrated rail plan provides significant benefits for communities across the north of England, reducing travel time between Leeds and Bradford to 12 minutes.
  • East Lancashire, including Rawtenstall, is at the heart of a successful approach to levelling up, receiving investment in transport, skills, schools, and safety.
  • The Department for Transport is considering whether the Ivanhoe line can secure investment, acknowledging the need for support in communities like Ashby de la Zouch.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Economy Transport
Context

The question arises from the publication of a £96 billion integrated rail plan, which has been criticised for not delivering on previous commitments.

Question

What assessment has he made of the implications for his policies on levelling up of the integrated rail plan? The integrated rail plan really only delivers an upgrade to existing lines and cancels Northern Powerhouse Rail. With three weeks left in 2021, when will the promised levelling-up White Paper be published?

Answer from Michael Gove

The integrated rail plan provides significant benefits for communities across the north of England. Travel time between Leeds and Bradford is reduced to 12 minutes from over 20 minutes in some cases. Further work on mass transit systems like West Yorkshire's approach will be considered. The broader set of levelling-up plans will be shared with the House at the earliest opportunity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for publishing the levelling-up White Paper

How: Broad Statements On Benefits, Future Intentions Without Commitments

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Q2 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Education Economy Transport
Context

The question is about the lack of inclusion in the integrated rail plan of a proposed railway line between Manchester and Rawtenstall, which was expected to support regeneration efforts.

Question

With the absence of a rail line from Manchester to Rawtenstall in the integrated rail plan, will my right hon. Friend look favourably on our levelling-up bid that includes transport and other schemes for Rossendale and east Lancashire?

Answer from Michael Gove

East Lancashire, including Rawtenstall, is at the heart of a successful approach to levelling up. Communities in East Lancashire will receive investment not just in transport but also in skills, schools, and ensuring streets are safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to support the bid

How: Broad Statements On Importance Of Area

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Q3 Jake Berry Con
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

The question addresses the loss of regeneration opportunities resulting from the cancellation of the eastern leg of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, with significant economic implications for Bradford.

Question

HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail were about regeneration opportunities. With the cancelled eastern leg, 38,000 homes and £38 billion of economic growth in Bradford have been lost. Local government leaders are united against the reduction in rail investment plans. Is the north being let down?

Answer from Michael Gove

While there is disappointment, transport is not the only tool for regeneration. Homes England's work on brownfield sites and other investments will ensure that opportunities are spread more equally across England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to address the north's needs

How: Broad Statements About Alternative Approaches

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Q4 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Transport
Context

The question concerns the lack of rail stations in North West Leicestershire and seeks to restore railway funding, particularly for the Ivanhoe line.

Question

What conversations is my right hon. Friend having with the Department for Transport about restoring railway funding, especially for reopening the Ivanhoe line in North West Leicestershire?

Answer from Michael Gove

The importance of transport connectivity is acknowledged. Whether the Ivanhoe line can secure investment will be considered, with recognition that Ashby de la Zouch and other communities need such support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to restore funding

How: Broad Statements On Connectivity

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