Integrated Rail Plan: North and Midlands Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Integrated Rail Plan: North and Midlands

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts
Thursday 18th November 2021

(2 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Grant Shapps Portrait Grant Shapps
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The good news is that that is starting very soon. I made reference to work starting by Christmas and I think—this is subject to my checking—that it is actually the Kettering section that will be starting. I know that my hon. Friend’s area has already benefited from rail electrification to the south, and this brings it to the north as well.

Andrew Gwynne Portrait Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)
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So in this downgraded plan, the Secretary of State has announced a high-speed line between Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester and the western boundary of Yorkshire. Just what we needed: a Mancunian express to Saddleworth moor. We do not need a study in how to get trains to Leeds. Just build what was promised: the full Northern Powerhouse Rail. That is all we need.