Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Second Report - The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands
Transport Committee
HC 292
Published 27 July 2022
Recommendations
10
Acknowledged
Para 41
A full assessment of the levelling up impact of the various NPR and HS2 Eastern...
Recommendation
A full assessment of the levelling up impact of the various NPR and HS2 Eastern leg options does not appear to have been carried out to date. The Government must ensure that the impact of NPR decisions on Bradford in …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the recommendation and explains that the IRP confirmed HS2 services between Birmingham and central Nottingham, via East Midlands Parkway which would provide greater connectivity between the East and West Midlands.
Department for Transport
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17
Acknowledged
Para 69
If the underground station option were to be deemed deliverable, it could unlock significant land...
Recommendation
If the underground station option were to be deemed deliverable, it could unlock significant land value in the city; it would then be reasonable to expect contributions to the cost from local government and local businesses. We recommend that this …
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Government Response Summary
The Government notes the recommendation and has continued to engage with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council (MCC), and has engaged extensively with Greater Manchester stakeholders. They conclude that further optimisation of the underground options is unlikely to change the decision that a surface station is the appropriate design solution on the grounds of construction feasibility, health and safety, cost and delivery in service dates.
Department for Transport
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Conclusions (3)
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 5
Nonetheless, there is still a need for prioritisation and hard choices, and the proposals set out in the Integrated Rail Plan have already left some towns and cities very disappointed. It is crucial that the Government bases its decisions on how to spend this investment on the fullest possible evidence …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the rationale and will continue to provide updated economic assessments of HS2 at key decision points, and intends to provide a proportionate economic assessment, including BCRs, alongside other options considered in the HS2 to Leeds study.
9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 40
The potential of Bradford as an engine room of the Northern Powerhouse may be squandered if it is not given opportunities to thrive through better connectivity. Direct high speed connections would give the city access to a much broader pool of labour, as well as allowing other cities to benefit …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation and states it has continued to engage with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council (MCC) regarding an underground station but concludes that a surface station is the appropriate design solution.
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 68
Local stakeholders and the Government have very different views on the likely merit and cost of the underground station option at Manchester Piccadilly. There are considerable cost and practical challenges to delivering this solution, though we recognise the benefits of a through station and saving land for development. We have …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges different views on the Manchester Piccadilly underground station, citing costs, delays, and lack of evidence for land value justification, stating they have engaged extensively with stakeholders.