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Rail executives give evidence on the economic case for HS2

26 February 2019

The Economic Affairs Committee continues its follow up work on HS2, examining the transport needs in the Midlands and the North of England.

Witnesses

Tuesday 26 February in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster

At 3.35pm

  • Ben Still, Managing Director, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • Simon Warburton, Transport Strategy Director, Transport for Greater Manchester
  • Barry White, Chief Executive, Transport for the North
  • Tim Wood, Northern Powerhouse Rail Director, Transport for the North

Likely questions

  • Can you provide an overview of the benefits you anticipate from the Northern Powerhouse Rail Programme, its costs and the expected timescales for delivery?
  • Do you agree with the Mayor of Greater Manchester that if you had to choose between the Northern Powerhouse Rail Programme and HS2, the Northern Powerhouse Programme would be the priority?
  • Do you agree with the Committee's 2015 report that London commuters on the West Coast Main Line will be the main beneficiaries from HS2?
  • Which of HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail projects do you think is the better bet for generating economic growth?
  • Are you concerned by reports that the number of trains on the HS2 line, and the speed at which they run, could be reduced to lower its cost?
  • To what extent is overcrowding a problem on trains in the North, and on which services does it occur?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto