Northern mayors demand government reassess rail plans

Mayors across the North have written to the government asking for a rethink of rail plans.

The demand comes as Labour mayors Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, Jamie Driscoll, Tracy Brabin and Dan Jarvis are due to share a stage with Michael Gove, the ‘levelling up’ secretary at a conference in Liverpool today.

The mayors are urging the government to reassess plans after the Manchester to Leeds link was downgraded.

The plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail had been developed for several years, on a cross-party basis, by political and business leaders across the North but the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan fell short of what Leaders agreed was required to unleash the full economic potential of Northern towns and cities.

Last month, the Government published a “Technical Annex” for the Integrated Rail Plan which stated the levelling up impact should be assessed.

Later on in the document it stated “Given the early stage of development of the options under consideration…it has not been possible to fully assess their impacts on the wider economy.”

The Mayors have written to the Prime Minister, Chancellor, Levelling Up Secretary and Transport Secretary challenging the Government to open a new assessment process with Transport for the North (TfN).

This process would openly assess both the IRP and the rail plan put forward by Northern leaders to see which would achieve the greater impact in ministers’ central mission – levelling up the country.

In the letter, the Mayors write: “We find it strange to say the very least that the IRP, the Government’s flagship levelling up policy, has not been fully assessed for its levelling up impact.

“Surely the Government would want to ensure that any major investment of public money achieved greatest impact on its central mission?

“For this reason, we do not believe that the current IRP should be the final word on rail infrastructure for the North. But, in the spirit of making progress, we wish to put a positive proposal to the Government.”

Highlighting the long-lasting implications of the IRP, the mayors call for an “open, bi-lateral value for money assessment process” involving Transport for the North (TfN) to ensure any future plans are assessed rigoursly, including levelling up impact.

The letter continues: “The magnitude of the decision on rail investment in the North of England cannot be overstated. It will have a determinative impact on our economy and society for more than 100 years.

“If we didn’t press for the best possible solution, we would be letting down future generations of Northerners.”

Noting the Crossrail investment in London and the huge economic benefits it will bring, the mayors added: “We simply ask for the same for the North of England.”