Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Powerhouse Rail and Leamside Line

Thursday 24 November 2022 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Transport Secretary promised Northern Powerhouse Rail would go ahead at Great Northern conference.
  • Transport North East studies costs and benefits of reopening the Leamside line.
  • Minister commits to meeting stakeholders to discuss the Leamside line's importance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
Transport
Context

The Leamside line closed in 1964, and there has been ongoing campaigning for its reopening. The Transport Secretary recently promised the Northern Powerhouse Rail will proceed.

Question

Yesterday, at the Great Northern conference, the Transport Secretary promised that Northern Powerhouse Rail will indeed go ahead. Since the Government know that it is going ahead, they should also know what that entails. Does it, or does it not, include the Leamside line?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The integrated rail plan stated that the Leamside line would be best dealt with as part of a future city region settlement. Transport North East is currently conducting studies into the costs and potential benefits of reopening the line.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether the Leamside line is included in Northern Powerhouse Rail, instead referred to future city region settlement

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Q2 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
Transport
Context

The reopening of the Leamside line is critical for resilience in connections to the Union and local transport initiatives.

Question

Could I encourage the Minister to meet me, Transport North East and other interested Members to appreciate its importance to the north-east fully and to ensure that it is considered properly?

Answer from Huw Merriman

I commit to meeting him, Transport North East and other bodies that he wishes to invite for further discussion. However, I remind the House that funding budgets are tight for the Department for Transport.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm a commitment beyond general willingness to meet, highlighted budget constraints

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Q3 Paul Howell
Transport
Context

Previous Conservative manifestos promised substantial rail improvements to the north and midlands but there are concerns these promises were not met.

Question

Has he managed to persuade the Secretary of State that the integrated rail plan under-serves the needs of the north and lets down those who require change the most?

Answer from Huw Merriman

I welcome the scale of the Government's promised spending on improving rail in the North and the Midlands. £96 billion is a very substantial sum; it has the potential to transform rail travel for future generations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address under-delivery, focused on overall investment figures

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Q4 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Transport
Context

Recent rail services have experienced record cancellations due to decisions made by the previous government.

Question

Will the rail Minister apologise for his predecessor's signing off the decision to slash tens of thousands of services every month and confirm when those services will be restored?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Post the pandemic, travel habits have changed. Rail is at only 80% of its pre-pandemic patronage but services have been reduced by only 10%. We continue to subsidise on that basis to the tune of £16 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not apologize or commit to restoring slashed rail services, highlighted current subsidies and travel changes post-pandemic

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Q5 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Transport
Context

The rail services have experienced record cancellations and fewer services since the pandemic.

Question

Will the Minister work constructively with the hon. Lady to ensure more people are on the rail network?

Answer from Huw Merriman

I very much hope I can work with the hon. Lady in a constructive manner to ensure we talk up rail and try to get more people on the rail network.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions, focused on general collaboration

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