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High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)

21 May 2024

Proposing MP
Nigel Evans Con
Ribble Valley
Type
Bill Debate

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement addresses amendments to the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill to remove sections south of Millington that were required for the now-cancelled HS2 Phase 2b and instructs the Select Committee to continue its work on Northern Powerhouse Rail. The statement discusses the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and its implications for the Northern Powerhouse Rail project. The statement discusses the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and the Network North plan, which involves reconfiguring rail infrastructure in northern England. The statement discusses the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and its implications for Northern Powerhouse Rail. Jack Brereton is concerned about the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill, arguing it fails to properly address connectivity needs in the north due to its current design. The statement addresses concerns about the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and proposes changes to ensure better value for money and connectivity. The statement addresses the debate surrounding the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill, focusing on the delays and inactivity related to Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2. The debate focuses on the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and concerns about the lack of proper scrutiny and democratic accountability over the project's £16.2 billion budget. Jim McMahon discusses the cancellation of HS2 from the Midlands to the north and its impact on connectivity in northern towns and cities. The statement discusses concerns over the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and its impact on local communities and petitioners. The statement discusses the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and addresses amendments related to the truncation of the scheme and a proposed maintenance depot in Ashley. The statement discusses the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill and its instruction for the Select Committee to consider specific aspects of the railway project.

Action Requested

The motion requests the Select Committee to amend the Bill by removing certain provisions, not hearing petitions related to cancelled railways, and focusing solely on the core principles of delivering a high-speed railway between Millington and Manchester Piccadilly station as part of Network North's strategy. The amendments aim to redirect funds from HS2 phase 2b towards Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Key Facts

  • The Government announced Network North in October 2023, with £36 billion investment across the country.
  • An additional £12 billion is allocated for Northern Powerhouse Rail to better connect Liverpool and Manchester.
  • The Select Committee will continue its work focusing on the railway between Millington and Manchester Piccadilly station.
  • The High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill was passed after Second Reading in June 2022.
  • The preferred route remains unchanged, with the Committee tasked with hearing petitions on this issue.
  • The motion will prompt a new environmental assessment considering any changes to the scheme that may affect local areas.
  • The government's new long-term transport plan, Network North, will connect towns, cities, and rural communities across the country.
  • Every penny of the £19.8 billion committed to the northern leg of HS2 will be reinvested in the north, while the midlands leg will receive £9.6 billion.
  • Bradford will get a brand-new station and connection, reducing journey times from Manchester from 56 minutes to 30 minutes.
  • The Government first promised Northern Powerhouse Rail over a decade ago.
  • Sir John Armitt warned that failure to boost rail capacity in the north risks undermining levelling up and constraining economic growth.
  • The detailed final plans for addressing rail capacity between Birmingham and Manchester have not yet been presented to the Government.
  • The Bill was designed to deliver phase 2b of HS2 but is now adapted to focus on NPR.
  • Brereton fears it could enable phase 2 of HS2 to be restarted.
  • A new hybrid bill would look at the whole Liverpool-Manchester corridor and beyond.
  • The debate must conclude by 6.13 pm.
  • Members are asked to make pithy speeches.
  • Northern Powerhouse Rail was announced by George Osborne as Chancellor on June 23, 2014.
  • The rail system in the north of England has been known under three different names: HS3, Crossrail of the north, and Northern Powerhouse Rail over a period of ten years.
  • No design work, land purchase or money dedication to the project has been done since its announcement.
  • The decision to not proceed with HS2 phase 2b will reduce rail system capacity and speed due to train splitting and lack of tilting technology.
  • The project involves £16.2 billion at its most conservative estimate.
  • It will have a major impact on people living along the 24 km section of Northern Powerhouse Rail between Rostherne and Warrington.
  • The railway starts in a field in Cheshire and ends somewhere in the Pennines at node 3, which is ill-defined.
  • The cancellation of HS2 from the Midlands to the north is viewed as a missed opportunity for investment in northern England.
  • Manchester Piccadilly has been told it cannot have tunnelling that would take platforms underground, unlike similar projects in southern England.
  • A local contribution is being asked of Greater Manchester taxpayers for Manchester Airport station, despite it being a national project.
  • The MP agrees with scrapping the Birmingham to Crewe section of HS2.
  • There are concerns about compensation issues and behaviour of HS2 Ltd.
  • The hybrid Bill procedure is criticized for potentially undermining petitioners' rights.
  • The Network North announcement committed to stopping the HS2 scheme.
  • The Department is working to deliver a full assessment of works needed for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
  • A supplementary environmental statement will be published as soon as possible with the results of the assessment.
  • Amendment (b) would remove a proposed temporary maintenance depot in Ashley, Tatton constituency.
  • The original instruction was to consider HS2 phase 2b and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
  • It would take an extra five years to restart the process from scratch.
  • The TransPennine route upgrade is underway, with electrification for Stalybridge scheduled for next year.
  • More money will be invested in the TRU than on Crossrail.
  • Mayors are working on proposals for Birmingham to Manchester but have not presented them yet.
  • The Government is committed to regenerating cities like Bradford and Hull using funds repurposed from HS2.
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