Railways: North of England
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) consult and (b) communicate with the North of England's (i) mayoral combined authorities, (ii) local authorities and (ii) local stakeholders and communities on the (A) planning and (B) delivery of (1) Northern Powerhouse Rail and (2) associated regional transport networks.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
The Northern Growth Strategy commits Government to working in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and local leaders to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). This is set out in the Compact Agreements with Mayors.
We have established new engagement forums, which will include a Ministerial Taskforce with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, alongside Mayors. This is supported by a Northern Growth Strategy Steering Group of city region chief executives to inform strategic objectives and delivery.
For NPR specifically, existing partnerships such as the Liverpool–Manchester Rail Board and the White Rose Partnership will provide oversight of Phase One and Phase Two, working through key design and delivery decisions. Local station boards across the Northern Growth Corridor bring together regional partners to ensure alignment with local transport and economic plans.
We will continue to engage wider stakeholders and communities, with public consultation to take place in future.
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