Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how Rail North will work with existing transport bodies in the area in which it operates.

Rail North consists of Rail North Ltd (RNL) a company limited by guarantee and the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities ("the Association").The Association consists of 29 local transport authorities (including combined authorities and PTEs, county councils and unitary district councils). Its main function is to develop and oversee the implementation of a long-term rail strategy for the North; it also acts as a forum for liaison with Transport for the North on rail issues.

All member authorities of the Association are members of RNL, which is run by a Board of eleven elected councillors appointed by the member authorities on a geographical basis. However, important strategic and financial issues require the approval of the membership.These governance arrangements therefore provide all 29 local transport authorities a full opportunity to engage with Rail North on important rail issues affecting their area.