Oral Answers to Questions

Andy Carter Excerpts

Thursday 24th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to improve transport connections in the north of England.

[Andy Carter (Warrington South) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to improve transport connections in the north of England.

[Mary Robinson (Cheadle) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to improve transport connections in the north of England.

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrew Stephenson]

I agree with my hon. Friend that we must improve connectivity to all our communities in the north—especially Chorley—and I welcome her commitment to improving services on the Penistone line. Bids to the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund are being assessed, and we expect to announce the outcome of that competition in the autumn.

[Andy Carter]

As the number of commuters travelling from Warrington gradually starts to increase again, does the Minister agree that east-west links from Warrington will really benefit from investment? Could I ask my hon. Friend to update the House on plans to extend Northern Powerhouse Rail from Manchester to Liverpool via Warrington Bank Quay, and does he agree with me that the £2 billion allocated for the Golborne spur could be better spent on helping local rail links across the north-west of England?

[Andrew Stephenson]

The Government remain absolutely committed to Northern Powerhouse Rail and, as ever, my hon. Friend makes a powerful case for Warrington. As he knows, decisions on the routes for NPR and consideration of the Golborne spur are matters for the integrated rail plan, so he will have to be patient just a little bit longer, but I can assure him that his representations have been heard.