Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 26 October (10507), what assessment they have made of the adequacy of the existing appraisal methodology developed by Leeds ITS to assess the impact of the opening of new railway stations; and whether they have any plans to allow other contractors to develop new methodology for such purposes.

We are aware and welcome the work by Leeds ITS. It is a valued contribution on station appraisal. We are reviewing our guidance in this area which we will update in due course.

As with all areas of transport appraisal, suppliers are welcome to innovate and develop their own approaches providing they are well justified and evidence based.