Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report.

The Committee considered a report updating it on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

On 20 July 2017, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced the cancellation of the electrification of rail lines in Wales (Cardiff to Swansea), the Midlands (London to Sheffield and Nottingham) and North-West (Windermere) after National Audit Office reports highlighting projects which were behind schedule and over budget.

The Secretary of State for Transport has since called into question the inclusion of full electrification as part of the scope of the TRU.  Alongside other recent statements from the Secretary of State this has given rise to a number of concerns, as outlined in the submitted report.

Resolved:

(i)                 That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)               That the greater involvement of WYCA in the development of the TRU scheme, including the forthcoming choices about scope and outputs, directly and through Rail North and Transport for the North, be endorsed.

(iii)             That a shared statement to Government be developed to articulate how important the TRU scheme is to West Yorkshire and the wider City Region, and that further actions be explored and pursued in order to lobby government in favour of the TRU scheme.