Give us clarity on rail investment, say transport leaders, as Transport for the North cuts row continues

Earlier this week proposed cuts to statutory body Transport for the North (TfN) were revealed, including a 40 per cent decrease in its core funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

The cuts will also see an end to TfN’s plans to roll out smart ticketing and contactless pay-as-you-go travel across the region.

And there are uncertainties too around investment levels both of HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail, after a report from the National Infrastructure Committee suggested funding models that would pit both projects against each other.

Leaders have now called for the Government to publish its Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands, which was announced by the DfT in February last year.

Speaking after a board meeting of TfN yesterday, Barry White, outgoing chief executive of TfN said: “Increasing rail spend could transform the North’s fortunes. But constraining spending and ambition will lead to cut-price versions of the current plans and promised projects simply not being delivered – that will curtail investment in the North and cost many jobs.

"We now strongly urge the Government to be ambitious in its decision-making.”

Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “The uncertainty around Transport for the North’s budget, and investment level for schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail, will not help rail suppliers who are looking to plan and prepare for future work to deliver.

“In these difficult times we understand that there is a need to secure value for money for taxpayers, but we should not let rail investment be held up for what are, after all, long-term major projects.”

Justin Moss and Mike Hulme, Co-Chairs of Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL), said: “The North’s rail industry stands ready to deliver Trans Pennine Route Upgrade, HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, the digitalisation and decarbonisation of the network and much more, for the benefit of those who use the railway network.

“But these businesses do need Government to be clear about its policies and intentions, so it is vital the Integrated Rail Plan is published as swiftly as possible. The greater the visibility for rail businesses, the even more we can provide the region.”

The DfT said the Rail Investment Plan would be published “early this year.”