Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the preferred route for the Manchester to Leeds corridor of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The Secretary of State has had regular discussions with Transport for the North about Northern Powerhouse Rail, most recently in September. The Secretary of State also has regular conversations with Northern Leaders in his role as the Northern Powerhouse Minister, including several in preparation for the next Northern Transport Acceleration Council meeting.

In the Integrated Rail Plan, the Department will set out how projects, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, can be connected strategically to deliver the train services that people need and deserve, as effectively as possible. We are expecting the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment report shortly and the Integrated Rail Plan will follow once Ministers have considered this advice.