Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Paragraph: 4
We welcome the scale of the Government’s promised spending on improving rail in the North...
Conclusion
We welcome the scale of the Government’s promised spending on improving rail in the North and the Midlands. £96 billion is a very substantial sum; it has the potential to transform rail travel for future generations and make a significant contribution to levelling up the country.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the rationale for this recommendation, though it will take longer than the suggested timeframe, and confirms it remains committed to looking at alternatives to the Golborne Link to deliver similar benefits to Scotland, and alternatives will be considered while maintaining safeguarding along the Golborne Link.
Paragraph Reference:
4
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government accepts the rationale for this recommendation, although the work required will take longer than the suggested timeframe. The then government set out its rationale for removing the Golborne Link from the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on 6 June 2022. In that statement, the then government confirmed that, in line with the findings of the Union Connectivity Review, it wished to look at alternatives which deliver similar benefits to Scotland as the Golborne Link, so long as these alternatives deliver for the taxpayer and are affordable within the £96bn envelope allocated for the Integrated Rail Plan. The Link has not therefore been ‘cancelled’; rather legislation for its authorisation has been deferred in order to determine whether there is a better solution. The Government remains committed to looking at alternatives to the Golborne Link. The Government will look at the potential for alternative options to bring benefits to passengers sooner, and to improve on the Golborne Link outcomes, for example in relation to capacity constraints on the WCML. Whilst these alternatives are considered, safeguarding along the Golborne Link will be maintained. This means the Government has kept compensation programmes in place for affected homeowners so that they can still access support as needed. Any decision to pursue an alternative will be announced to Parliament at the appropriate time.