Seventh Special Report - The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands: Government response to the Committee’s Second Report

This is the government's response, published 13 July 2023.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government welcomes the report and sets out a mixed response: it accepts several recommendations, some with caveats on timing, but does not accept that the Integrated Rail Plan "underserves the rail needs of the North of England".

• On the Golborne Link, it "accepts the rationale" for the recommendation but says the work will take longer than suggested; it remains "committed to looking at alternatives" and safeguarding is to be maintained meanwhile.
• It does not accept that the overall evidence base needs to be reconsidered, citing similar outputs, the adaptive approach and "significant" cost differentials of alternatives.
• It accepts the recommendation on HS2 to Leeds, will publish terms of reference "before the summer recess" and anticipates the study taking "around 18 months", while stating that the study "does not guarantee further interventions will be agreed or progressed".
• It "notes" the recommendation on a Manchester Piccadilly underground station and continues to believe a combined surface station is best placed to meet the needs of both HS2 and NPR services.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error