The Government’s Integrated Rail Plan met with mixed reviews when
it was launched in November.
The Government billed it as the largest ever investment in rail
infrastructure including a £96m pledge to improve existing
routes. Prime Minister described the plan as the
“biggest transport investment programme in a century.”
However, much of the eastern leg of the new high speed train was
downgraded or scrapped and the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail
line replaced with an upgrade and electrification, extending to
the Tees Valley and Newcastle.
The Integrated Rail Plan encompasses HS2, the Transpennine north
railway upgrade, East Coast Main Line, the Midland Main Line
railway upgrade, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Midlands Rail
hub.
The Transport Select Committee now plans to scrutinise the
potential effect of the Integrated Rail Plan on rail capacity and
connectivity and on the Government’s levelling up agenda.
Terms of reference:
The Committee is particularly interested in receiving written
evidence that addresses:
- The contribution that the IRP will make to rail capacity and
connectivity for (a) passengers and (b) freight in (i) the
Midlands and the North and (ii) the UK
- Whether and how the IRP will help to “level up” communities
in the Midlands and the North
- How the rail improvement schemes described in the IRP will
integrate and interact with HS2, and the extent to which they
will compensate for the cancellation of significant elements of
the HS2 eastern leg
- The challenges to central Government, Network Rail, Great
British Railways, regional and local authorities, transport
bodies, train and freight operating companies and other
stakeholders in delivering and operating the schemes set out in
the IRP
- The effect on planning and delivery of the Government’s
decision to rescind Transport for the North’s powers to develop
Northern Powerhouse Rail
- How the schemes in the IRP were selected, and whether those
selections will deliver equity between and within regions
- The potential effect of the IRP on sustainability and
transport decarbonisation; and,
- whether the IRP is a sound investment for (a) taxpayers and
(b) passengers.
The closing date for written evidence is 24 January,
2022.
