Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders in the North West on the Integrated Rail Plan.

I have held a series of regional roundtables with political and business leaders, including those from the North West, inviting them to set out their priorities for rail in their areas. I will continue to seek views from regional representatives as work on the Integrated Rail Plan continues over the coming months.

The Integrated Rail Plan will also be informed by a ‘Rail Needs Assessment’ from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), which is now considering evidence from stakeholders across the Midlands and the North.