Recommendation 28

The Government has put together a strong case for the Integrated Rail Plan, but it is based on a best-case scenario which may not come to pass. Cost and time overruns for major infrastructure projects are commonplace, and disruption can be extensive and unforeseen. The promised journey time improvements may not be achievable in practice, and the decision to replace some plans for new high-speed lines with upgrades will limit capacity gains. We urge the Government to produce more cautious estimates for the benefits that are realistically achievable under the IRP, so that the public and stakeholders across the country—especially in the North and Midlands—can assess the situation, plan ahead for the future, and be sure that the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks. (Paragraph 113) The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands 37