Statement made by , Minister of State for Transport
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), published in November 2021 set
out a £96 billion investment to benefit the Midlands and the
North, the largest ever government investment in the railways.
The Government stands by the conclusions of the Plan and
continues to consider it the most effective way of providing rail
benefits to the North and Midlands.
As part of the Plan, we also committed to take forward a study to
consider the most effective way to run HS2 trains to Leeds.
I am today publishing the terms of reference for this work, which
will include consideration of station capacity at Leeds, and the
implications of different options on the wider network.
The proposals set out in the Integrated Rail Plan bring
communities and labour markets together and will support growing
our economy in towns and cities across the nation.
The work in the study will consider a range of options and take
account of value for money, affordability, deliverability and
timescales, economic development, disruption to passengers and
local views and evidence. The study will be extensive and will
take two years to complete.
As this work progresses, we intend to review the case for
dropping certain options, taking account of evidence gathered,
particularly on costs, affordability, benefits and value for
money.
In addition, the Transport Select Committee on 13 July published
the Government’s response to their report on the Integrated Rail
Plan. In response to the following recommendation on Bradford:
The Government should reconsider the case for the development of
a new station in Bradford. The development of the St James’s
Market station would not only enhance rail connectivity in the
North, allowing further investment in the city, but also provide
further opportunities for rail development in Bradford after the
‘core pipeline’ of IRP upgrades take place. (Paragraph 63)
I have confirmed that the Government accepts this recommendation.
The Government stands by the conclusions of the Integrated Rail
Plan on Bradford, and the benefits that plan brings to the city.
However, in light of this recommendation, a re-assessment of the
evidence for better connecting Bradford and the case for a new
station will now form part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail
development programme and the HS2 to Leeds Study.
The Government’s approaches for Leeds and Bradford remain those
which were set out in the Integrated Rail Plan, and the
undertaking of this work does not guarantee further interventions
will be agreed or progressed.
The Government remains committed to the Integrated Rail Plan's
£96 billion envelope and expects that additions or changes to the
core IRP pipeline will be affordable within that. Any options
that are progressed, including those that would exceed the £96
billion envelope, will be subject to the established adaptive
approach, as set out in the IRP.
