Agenda item

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Hinchcliffe, Director: Dave Pearson)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    notes the content of the submitted report.

b)    endorses paragraph 2.11 as the proposed next steps in response to the published IRP.

The Combined Authority received an update on the contents of the published Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) and its implications for the region, as well as recommended next steps.

Members were very disappointed with the published IRP, noting that key components such as a Bradford stop for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the eastern leg of HS2 had been omitted. The delivery fell far short of what the North had been promised, and it was felt not to be in keeping with the Government’s stated aim to ‘level-up’ the region to the level of connection and economic prosperity as other areas of the country.

Discussions were ongoing with Mayors across the North to try to re-open the conversation with Government, and the possibility of making a local contribution to delivery costs in support of the cancelled projects could be raised as a potential option. It was noted that there was precedent for these decisions being reversed, providing further support to challenging the decision. A motion had been tabled at the 24 November Transport for the North meeting, supported by the Mayor and all other Northern Mayors present, requesting that Government reconsider all options. The Mayor had also written a letter to the Prime Minister, though no response had yet been received.

It was noted that this development followed a history of transport improvements in the North being delayed, with some projects being awaited for close to a decade - the electrification of the Calder Valley Line was a clear example of this, and Members highlighted it as a priority. Difficulties with the proposals put forth by the Government were also raised, such as a lack of capacity at Leeds for the services described in the IRP without delivery of a new station, and it was highlighted that many new stations and services on local networks were dependent on delivery of the eastern leg of HS2 in Leeds to provide extra capacity and removing express trains from the existing network.

Members noted that rail disruption was likely to be a serious concern going forward, as without a full implementation of HS2, capacity issues would need to be dealt with by upgrading existing track. Similarly, no alternate mitigation to limit disruption appeared to have been put forward for significant schemes such as the TransPennine Route Upgrade. This disruption would likely hinder efforts to encourage people to return to public transportation after the pandemic.

The impact to the regional economy was discussed, as improvements such as HS2 had been anticipated for years and built into economic and transport plans for the city region. Further uncertainty on delivery of rail improvements would reduce inward investment into the region, and the lost opportunities could have a negative effect on business growth. By contrast, bringing the North to a level of economic success enjoyed by other areas of the country would have massive long-term benefits.

The point was raised that the HS2 project had several questionable aspects in terms of its affordability and the mixed feelings around the eastern leg in Wakefield and Kirklees, particularly in relation to its effects on East Coast Main Line services. It was suggested that a project developed by stakeholders in the North and more tailored to the region would be of more benefit, and that NPR would be a useful base to develop this. Members noted that the region should gain the benefits of both HS2 and NPR, rather than needing to choose between them.

Members raised the following other comments and concerns:

·       The representative for Kirklees noted that although aspects of the IRP had been received more positively in their district, they acknowledged the disappointment felt across the region and supported efforts by the Combined Authority in having the Business Case re-examined.

·       Members noted the vital importance of integration across the North as a whole, beyond West Yorkshire or only key cities such as Manchester and Leeds, in order to support the levelling up agenda. 

·       It was felt that better results could be achieved with the available funding than was proposed by the IRP. A new electrified station in Bradford was highlighted as an important improvement that would also support the electrification of the Calder Valley Line.

·       Positive aspects of the IRP such as the TransPennine Route Upgrade were welcomed, but this did not diminish from the general strength of feeling that the Government should consider the decision again.

It was noted that where the recommendations of the report noted the proposed next steps for endorsement as being in paragraph 2.10, this should read paragraph 2.11.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    notes the content of the submitted report.

b)    endorses paragraph 2.11 as the proposed next steps in response to the published IRP.