Integrated Rail Plan

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 15 Dec 2021 Closed: 13 Jul 2023 Parliament page
The Committee is interested in the implications of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the economy and rail capacity and connectivity. We are particularly interested in receiving written evidence that addresses: The contribution that the IRP will make to rail capacity and connectivity for (a) passengers and (b) freight in … Read more
13 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
5 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
13 Jul
2023
Report published
11 Jan
2023
Correspondence
26 Oct
2022
Correspondence
12 Oct
2022
Correspondence
12 Oct
2022
Correspondence
27 Jul
2022
Report published
23 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
23 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
9 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
9 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
9 Feb
2022
Correspondence
2 Feb
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
23 Mar 2022
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Andrew Stephenson MP · Department for Transport Nick Bisson · Department for Transport Sir John Armitt CBE · National Infrastructure Commission Sir Peter Hendy CBE · Network Rail
9 Mar 2022
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Andy Street CBE · West Midlands Combined Authority Gareth Dennis · University of Birmingham Karen Heppenstall · Midlands Connect Professor Iain Docherty · Institute for Advanced Studies Professor Jon Shaw · European Platform for Transport Sciences
2 Feb 2022
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Andy Burnham · Greater Manchester Martin Tugwell · Transport for the North Rt Hon. the Lord McLoughlin CH · Transport for the North
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midla… HC 292 27 Jul 2022 28 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
13 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
We welcome the scale of the Government’s promised spending on improving rail in the North...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Transport
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The failure to calculate an updated benefit-cost ratio (BCR) raises questions over whether the case...
The failure to calculate an updated benefit-cost ratio (BCR) raises questions over whether the case for changes to the HS2 Eastern leg have been properly assessed. It is concerning that the Government would make a decision on such an important … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the rationale for this recommendation and will continue to provide updated economic assessments of HS2 at key decision points for the programme, and intends to provide a proportionate economic assessment, including BCRs, alongside other options considered in the HS2 to Leeds transport appraisals.
Department for Transport
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
To take account of the changes of plan for the HS2 Eastern leg and to...
To take account of the changes of plan for the HS2 Eastern leg and to inform current and future decision-making, the Department for Transport should publish by March 2023 an updated BCR for (a) the entire HS2 project and (b) … Read more
Government Response
The government will develop and expand on the wider economic and levelling up benefits in future business cases, including proposals for HS2 East and the HS2 to Leeds Study, and will publish the NPR Strategic Outline Business Case later this year.
Department for Transport
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6 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
Without having completed a full analysis of the wider economic impacts, it is difficult to...
Without having completed a full analysis of the wider economic impacts, it is difficult to see how the Government has fully assessed the levelling-up agenda and the case for different NPR options. Leaving out these key elements of analysis means … Read more
Government Response
The government will publish the terms of reference for the work on wider economic impacts before the summer recess and anticipates that the study will take around 18 months.
Department for Transport
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government’s levelling up agenda commits it to ending geographical inequality in the UK.
The Government’s levelling up agenda commits it to ending geographical inequality in the UK. However, by underserving the rail needs of the North of England it is letting down those who require change the most. Upgrading lines will undoubtedly bring … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation subject to the future conclusions of the HS2 to Leeds Study and will work with local partners to ensure Leeds station has capacity to meet the additional services outlined in the IRP by 2035, including platform extensions and improvements to station approaches.
Department for Transport
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government must remain open to the possibility that this thorough reassessment of the evidence...
The Government must remain open to the possibility that this thorough reassessment of the evidence base, taking full account of the impact on levelling up communities in the North and Midlands, may show that Options 2 or 3 for Northern … Read more
Government Response
The government will reassess the evidence for better connecting Bradford and the case for a new station as part of the NPR development program and the HS2 to Leeds Study and stands by the conclusions of the IRP on Bradford.
Department for Transport
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
We welcome the Government’s pledge to look at how the Eastern leg of HS2 might...
We welcome the Government’s pledge to look at how the Eastern leg of HS2 might be constructed in full to Leeds as originally planned; the city is a key focal point not only of existing rail networks, but of economic value and potential in the North.
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and expects to provide further information on ranges and sensitivities for both costs and benefits where such information is available and can meaningfully be applied through the next stage of development.
Department for Transport
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government must conduct its study on how best to take HS2 to Leeds urgently.
The Government must conduct its study on how best to take HS2 to Leeds urgently. We ask that a timetable for this work, including a firm date for the final report, be published by September 2022. This is essential for … Read more
Government Response
The government will publish the terms of reference for the HS2 to Leeds study before the summer recess, with the study anticipated to take around 18 months; however, the government states that the study does not guarantee further interventions.
Department for Transport
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government should reconsider the case for the development of a new station in Bradford.
The Government should reconsider the case for the development of a new station in Bradford. The development of the St James’s Market station would not only enhance rail connectivity in the North, allowing further investment in the city, but also … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the rationale for the recommendation and will address it on a project-by-project basis, with detailed mitigation already underway on TRU and HS2 through environmental controls and community engagement.
Department for Transport
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government’s presentation of the benefits of the IRP core pipeline in comparison to previous...
The Government’s presentation of the benefits of the IRP core pipeline in comparison to previous plans should factor in time and cost ranges that reflect the contingency that will, realistically, be needed for such a large and complex package of … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and states that the IRP already contains information about cost and date ranges. They expect to provide further information on ranges and sensitivities for both costs and benefits where such information is available and can meaningfully be applied.
Department for Transport
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26 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
Rail upgrades disrupt commuters, rail freight and timetabling.
Rail upgrades disrupt commuters, rail freight and timetabling. Disruption to existing services caused by upgrades to key rail lines may drive a modal shift from rail to car, which would work against the Government’s decarbonisation goals.
Government Response
The government accepts the rationale and states that mitigation measures will be done on a project-by-project basis, with work already underway on TRU and HS2, managed through environmental controls and a Community Engagement Strategy.
Department for Transport
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27 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Department for Transport and Network Rail should set out a timetable for implementing a...
The Department for Transport and Network Rail should set out a timetable for implementing a detailed mitigation strategy to minimise disruption caused by the implementation of the IRP. This should set out a strategy for each individual project and must … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the rationale for a detailed mitigation strategy to minimize disruption caused by the IRP, to be done on a project-by-project basis, with work already underway on TRU and HS2 including consultation with communities and stakeholders.
Department for Transport
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28 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Integrated Rai…
The Government has put together a strong case for the Integrated Rail Plan, but it...
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to produce more cautious estimates for the benefits that are realistically achievable under the IRP, stating the IRP already contains information about cost and date ranges. They expect to provide further information on ranges and sensitivities for both costs and benefits where such information is available and can meaningfully be applied.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 13 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 5
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 1
Total 13 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
11 Jan 2023 Correspondence from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport, relating to the Integrated rail plan, dated 30 December 2022
Parliament page
26 Oct 2022 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Rail, Department for Transport relating to the Integrated Rail Plan, dated 18 October 2022
Parliament page
12 Oct 2022 Correspondence from Chair, Transport Committee to the Minister of State for Rail, Department for Transport, relating to the Government response to the Committee's report on the Integrated Rail Plan, dated 11 October 2022
Parliament page
12 Oct 2022 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Rail, Department for Transport, relating to the Government response to the Committee's report on the Integrated Rail Plan, dated 28 September 2022
Parliament page
9 Feb 2022 Correspondence from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, relating to the Integrated Rail Plan, dated 4 February 2022
Parliament page