(3 years, 2 months ago)
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Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab)
Following the Minister’s words about Bradford, the whole city of Bradford and my constituents are angry. Some 530,000 people have been failed. Although I welcome the question of the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) to focus on Bradford, the truth is that the Government have stripped it of £30 billion of growth in the next 10 years. It is the fourth-youngest city in the country. I also hear on the grapevine that the Government have held on to the IPOSs for Leeds because there might be a U-turn. My question is simple: when will he U-turn on the NPR?
Andrew Stephenson
The hon. Lady asks when I will U-turn. We do not intend to U-turn for all the reasons set out in the integrated rail plan. To spend billions of pounds investing in the existing rail route from Manchester to Leeds, and then to spend £18 billion more building a brand-new line, simply did not make economic sense. We will reduce journey times from Bradford to Leeds from about 20 minutes to 11 minutes, and we will continue to work with regional stakeholders to deliver benefits.
[Official Report, 24 November 2021, Vol. 704, c. 367.]
Letter of correction from the Minister of State, Department for Transport, the hon. Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson).
An error has been identified in my response to the hon. Member for Bradford West (Naz Shah.
The correct response should have been:
Andrew Stephenson
We will reduce journey times from Bradford to Leeds from about 20 minutes to 12 minutes, and we will continue to work with regional stakeholders to deliver benefits.