Monday 27th
April, 3.30pm, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will examine how the
government's plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) could boost
economic growth in the North of England on Monday,
27thApril at 3.30pm.
As part of wider efforts to boost economic growth, the government
has set out plans to improve rail connectivity between major
cities including Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle. NPR will see
the construction of new rail lines and stations and upgrades to
pre-existing infrastructure. It also intends to provide more
frequent services and shorter journey times.
However, with funding capped at £45bn, it is likely that the
Department for Transport (DfT) will need to carefully manage
risks and make trade-offs to achieve a balance between benefits
and costs. MPs will use this session to explore what those
decisions are likely to entail, and question what lessons can be
learned from similar projects such as HS2.
The Committee is likely to question why it has taken the DfT over
a decade to define the scope of the programme and examine the
potential impacts of this delay. The role of Great British
Railways, as well as other government departments, in achieving
the aims of the programme is also likely to be considered.
Witnesses from 3.30pm:
- Jo Shanmugalingam CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for
Transport
- Nick Bisson, Director, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Network
Planning, Department for Transport
- Tom Riordan CBE, Northern Growth Envoy, HM Treasury
- Will Davis, Director, Local Growth and Devolution, Ministry
of Housing, Communities and Local Government
