Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Connectivity: North-west

Thursday 16 May 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Network North will see 19.8 billion of investment following the redirection of funding from HS2.
  • Liverpool city region is one of six areas to benefit from nearly 4 billion of uplift in the second round of the city region sustainable transport scheme.
  • A roundtable was hosted to discuss the development of the business case for the Burscough curves, with 494 million allocated over seven years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damien Moore Con
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the transport infrastructure in the north-west, particularly for towns and cities.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve transport connectivity for towns and cities in the north-west. Network North will see £19.8 billion of investment following the redirection of funding from HS2.

Answer from Mark Harper

Network North will see a further £19.8 billion of investment in the north of England following the redirection of funding from the second phase of HS2. Liverpool city region is one of six areas to benefit from nearly £4 billion of uplift in the second round of the city region sustainable transport settlements. A further £1.48 billion is going to the non-mayoral local authorities to fund a wide range of projects.

Answered
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Q2 Damien Moore Con
Transport
Context

The MP is focused on enhancing rail links, particularly the reconnection of Burscough curves and a station at Midge Hall.

Question

My right hon. Friend knows how important rail connectivity is to my constituents. Given the importance of schemes that link areas, will he issue stronger guidance for transport authorities to have better links between each other, rather than just within their own transport areas?

Answer from Mark Harper

I recently hosted a roundtable bringing together him, his local authority, Lancashire County Council, local rail operators and other interested parties to discuss how to further develop the business case for the Burscough curves. He will be aware that we have allocated £494 million over seven years starting next year to Lancashire County Council.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Requesting stronger guidance on inter-authority cooperation not directly addressed, instead referring to local roundtable discussions and funding allocations.

How: Roundtable Discussions, Funding Allocations

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Q3 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the slow timetable improvements since the time of Gladstone.

Question

When will the Secretary of State improve on the timetable at the time of Gladstone?

Answer from Mark Harper

The Rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman) set out clearly the improved performance that we have seen this year. We are clear that integrating track and train with our rail reform will improve things. Legislation before the House is being scrutinised by the Select Committee of my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart).

Partly answered

Not addressed: Requesting a specific timeline not directly addressed, instead referring to general improvements and ongoing scrutiny.

How: Improved Performance, Legislation

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Q4 Sara Britcliffe
Transport
Context

The MP is interested in accessibility improvements for local train stations under the Access for All programme.

Question

Will the Secretary of State look favourably upon bids such as Church & Oswaldtwistle and Rishton to improve station accessibility?

Answer from Mark Harper

We will make it clear in guidance that local authorities should involve their Members of Parliament in discussing priorities. A number of bids were made and are currently being scrutinised under the Access for All programme, with an announcement on funded projects expected soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Requesting specific favourable consideration not directly addressed, instead referring to guidance and ongoing scrutiny.

How: Guidance, Ongoing Scrutiny

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Q5 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the disparity between rail fare increases and wage growth since 2010.

Question

Will the Secretary of State explain why train fares have risen almost twice as fast as wages since 2010?

Answer from Mark Harper

Over the last two years, significant interventions were made to keep rail fares rising no faster than wages. £31 billion was put into protecting the rail industry during the pandemic. As passenger figures recover, contracts incentivising companies to drive up passenger numbers will reduce reliance on taxpayer support and enable competitive fares.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Requesting an explanation for fare increases not directly addressed, instead referring to recent interventions and future plans.

How: Recent Interventions, Future Plans

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