Minutes:
Members were provided with an update on the Northern Powerhouse Rail.
At the TfN Board meeting held on 18 February 2021, the preferred NPR network had been confirmed in line with the initial decision that had been made at its meeting held in November 2020; no changes had been required to the phasing plan. The Board had agreed to the request for the completion and submission of the Northern Powerhouse Rail Strategic Outline Case which would be delayed until after the publication by the Government of the Integrated Rail Plan which was envisaged to be published during March 2021.
A letter had been sent to the Transport Secretary to provide statutory advice to confirm the TFN Board’s agreement to the preferred way forward and to seek assurance that TfN would be consulted and involved in the development of the government’s Integrated Rail Plan. A press release had been issued on the TfN website on 2 March 2021, which had summarised the details contained within the statutory advice.
Members noted the preferred network of the Sheffield to Leeds corridor that had been agreed to upgrade the existing railway line north of Sheffield linking into HS2 at Clayton Junction. A total of four NPR train services per hour would run on the HS2 mainline to HS2 proposed high speed platforms at Leeds. The Board noted to the significant upgrades and journey time improvements to the Hope Valley route on the Manchester to Sheffield corridor. Two options on the Manchester to Sheffield corridor have been retained:- Option MS2G16 had been progressed forward as the preferred NPR network together with an acknowledgement of the retained option of MS2C16, with the requirement for further work. Scoping work was underway for a series of targeted studies for concept 2C and 2G, to provide additional evidence to enable a decision to be made on a single route option.
Since the TfN Board meeting held in November 2020, a range of revised rates had been incorporated following a cost challenge exercise that had been undertaken with Network Rail. The costs had now been reassured by Network Rail. A number of further cost reduction opportunities had been identified, which would be included within the Strategic Outline Case. The updated economic model had been utilised to better capture the benefits whilst using the 2040 forecast. Work had continued to improve the BCR’s whilst following the Green Book guidance.
It was anticipated that the delivery of the two new stations at Barnsley Dearne Valley and Rotherham Main Line would be operational by mid-2020’s. The Barnsley Dearne Valley station would be situated north of the existing Goldthorpe station, and the Rotherham Main Line would be situated at the Forge Way site to facilitate a connection to the tram-train. Acceleration of the two new stations formed part of the economic recovery plan. A technical feasibility study had been undertaken to identify the risks at both sites and to determine further works. Liaison had been made with Cross Country, Northern and Trans Pennine Express train operating companies to include their input into the operational modelling business case activities. Work continued with partners to refine the aspects of the tram-train proposal to understand the opportunities and associated benefits.
It was anticipated that the Government would publish the Integrated Rail Plan during March 2021. It was envisaged that a meeting with the Prime Minister, Chancellor Gove and Secretary of State for Transport would be held imminently to discuss and agree the MPR Integrated Rail Plan. Following which, the Prime Minister would make an announcement in Parliament. In the event that the announcement was not made prior to 24 March 2021, then no further action could be taken until after the election period. This would have a knock-on effect on the delivery of the Strategic Outline Case.
RESOLVED – That Members noted the update.