Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Integrated Rail Plan and High Speed 2 — [Ms Nusrat Ghani in the Chair]

17 November 2020 · 8 other contributors · 3,922 words

Opened by Darren Henry Con Broxtowe

Responding minister: Andrew Stephenson

Transport

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Darren Henry raised concerns about integrated rail plan and high speed 2 — [ms nusrat ghani in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns about the possible scaling back of the eastern leg of phase 2b of HS2 were raised.
  • The east midlands region received around 4% of total UK transport capital expenditure in 2018-19.
  • The Minister confirmed the Government's commitment to High Speed 2 and ongoing dialogue with local leaders.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Minister to ensure that the eastern leg of phase 2b is not cancelled and that Toton station remains as planned in the Government's integrated rail plan. I would be grateful for a meeting with the Minister to discuss progress on this leg, providing reassurance to my constituents.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Darren Henry Con Broxtowe

I am concerned about the possible scaling back of the eastern leg of phase 2b of HS2, which includes connections from Birmingham to Toton in the east midlands and onward to Chesterfield, Sheffield, and Leeds. Over the past five years, the east midlands region has had the lowest total public sector capital expenditure per person on transport twice: in 2016-17 and then again in 2017-18. In 2018-19, the east midlands received around 4% of the total capital expenditure across the UK—the second-lowest after only Yorkshire and the Humber. Communities on the eastern leg have suffered from lower productivity and less investment, with over 42% of England's social mobility coldspots located there.

Other contributors (8)
  • Catherine McKinnell Lab Newcastle upon Tyne North

    I thank the hon. Gentleman for mentioning the eastern leg of the integrated rail plan, which stretches 500 miles from London to Aberdeen and Inverness, but is currently holding back communities it intends to serve. Local authorities have launched an Invest East Coast Rail campaign this Thursday.

  • Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness

    The Member agrees that towns and cities in Yorkshire are part of levelling up as much as those in the midlands, emphasizing the need for full implementation.

  • Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South

    He congratulates the hon. Member for Broxtowe on securing the debate and expresses concern about potential delays in HS2 east. He calls for a specific commitment from the Government to proceed with HS2 east to Leeds concurrently with the western leg to Manchester.

  • Jason McCartney

    Congratulating my hon. Friend for his passion towards levelling up agenda, I agree that towns in Yorkshire and Humber will benefit from eastern leg of HS2, urging the Minister to commit Government to deliver it on time alongside western leg.

  • Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton

    He questions whether the economic disparity between the west and east of England makes a case for investment in eastern regions first or at least concurrently with the west.

  • Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South

    Congratulating the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate, she agrees Toton is the right place for the station due to its potential for interchange and regeneration, beating alternatives like East Midlands Parkway. Raises questions about potential alternatives to Toton for an east midlands hub, recalling HS2 Ltd's report which noted engineering and sustainability issues with East Midlands Parkway station compared to the proposed Toton station.

  • Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington

    I congratulate the hon. Member on securing this debate and express concern about Government finances under pressure from the pandemic, potentially affecting capital projects such as rail schemes.

  • Tom Randall

    Congratulating my hon. Friend on securing this debate, he agrees that improving east-west travel is as important as north-south travel, and schemes like eastern leg of HS2 will help achieve this.

Government Response

Andrew Stephenson

Confirms the Government's commitment to High Speed 2 and addresses concerns about delays in delivering phase 2b, stating that splitting up the legislation could speed up delivery. Highlights regional economic benefits of HS2 for the midlands and north, including capacity and connectivity improvements. Confirms ongoing dialogue with local leaders and business groups on the integrated rail plan (IRP).

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