Agenda item

To consider the report of the Strategy and Programme Director.

5.1             The Chair explained that the reports for items 5,6 & 7 would all be presented before Members would have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the three papers.

 

5.2          Members received the report from the Programme and Strategy Director who outlined the key issues in the report and asked Members to share any key issues that could be included in the submission to the Transport Select Committee.

 

5.3          Members expressed their disappointment with the Integrated Rail Plan and highlighted the missed opportunities for constituent areas to improve rail connectivity as a result of it. 

 

5.4          The Interim Programme and Strategy Director stated that Transport for the North is trying to understand why the Integrated Rail Plan had not been aligned with the new Green Book with decisions instead being made on the grounds of affordability and Benefit Cost Ratios.

 

Members were pleased with the rapid response from the Board following the publication of the IRP. In response to questions from Cllr Salter, the Chief Executive confirmed that a response to the letter from the Board Chair had been received and could be shared with Members. He explained that within the response the Government had restated its position and that Board Members were disappointed that it had failed to address the issue of local contributions and explore opportunities to achieve the Board’s preferred network. 

 

He added that there remained an opportunity for Transport for the North to continue to try to address this issue and encouraged Members to continue to make their case, as TfN’s strength lies in its advice being based on ambition as well as evidence and it should continue to make the case for step change in connectivity in order for the Board’s agreed and approved proposals for NPR to be delivered and that the ambition of connectivity across the North to be achieved.

 

5.5          The Strategic Rail Director added that the impact of the Integrated Rail Plan on the Transpennine Route Upgrade was unknown but the core scheme continues to progress.  He further explained that the proposals for a fully gauged cleared route and full electrification are included in the IRP.

 

5.6          Cllr Fenton questioned the Government’s technical documents relating to the IRP.

 

The Chief Executive explained that he understands that the documents will be released but there is no timeframe around when, and it is unclear as to the level of detail that they will contain.

5.7          Cllr Fletcher expressed concern about how much of the £96 billion being invested in rail will be used on rail work in the North.

 

The Interim Programme and Strategy Director stated that there is no certainty as to what will be delivered and when he believed there will be a funding envelope of £23 billion which includes funding for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) leaving £17 billion net for NPR.

 

5.8          On the issue of local contributions the Chair enquired if LEPs could be a source of funding. 

 

The Interim Programme and Strategy Director explained that LEPs are able to be a source of funding and this has been discussed with Board LEP Members who are already involved in looking for local contributions.  He further explained the importance of not displacing other required investment and wouldn’t be looking at local contributions on connectivity if this would displace opportunities to improving outcomes elsewhere.

5.9          The Chair reiterated the Committee’s disappointment that the IRP fell well short of reasonable expectations.  The Committee also provided its full support to the Transport for the North Board over their rapid response to the Government on this matter.

 

The Chair further emphasised the Committee’s disappointment on the lack of clarity around the TRU and lack of an evidence base on the economic impact; it is also disappointed at the lack of integration with the IRP specifically around electrification to the largest port in England and concerns about the environmental impact and the rail reduction for passengers and freight in the North of England.

Resolved:

That the information in the report including the economic and environmental assessment of the IRP (para 3.6), and the plan to respond to the Transport Select Committee inquiry (para 3.7) be noted.