Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of constructing the Midlands Rail Hub on the national economy.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport received the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. We will need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives, affordability, value for taxpayer money, and its impact on the national economy. We will make announcements on how to proceed with the project in due course.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of constructing the Midlands Rail Hub for people in (a) Bosworth constituency and (b) Leicestershire.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport received the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. We will now assess the contribution of the scheme to our objectives – including the benefits for the people of Bosworth and Leicestershire – alongside value for taxpayer money, and affordability.
Asked by: Louise Haigh (Labour - Sheffield, Heeley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Second Report of the Transport Committee entitled The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands, published on 27 July 2022, HC 292, if he will implement the recommendation to publish the full technical appraisals of the feasibility of the time reductions identified in the Integrated Rail Plan.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is considering the Transport Committee’s report. We intend to provide an update later this year, and a full response by March 2023.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when a determination will be made on the Outline Business Case for the Midlands Rail Hub.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We received the Outline Business Case for the Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. We will consider it carefully and respond in due course.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Midlands Rail Hub on rail usage in that region.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport received the Outline Business Case for Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. We will need to assess the contribution of the scheme to forecast impacts on rail usage in the Midlands region, including taking account of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on changing travel demand.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic benefits of building the Midlands Rail Hub.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport received the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. We will need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives – including the potential economic benefits – alongside value for taxpayer money, and affordability .
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) relevant stakeholders and (b) local leaders in the Midlands on the potential merits of constructing the Midlands Rail Hub for local residents.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport received the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Midlands Rail Hub on 14th November. The OBC was jointly developed by Midlands Connect, representing local stakeholders and leaders across the region, together with Network Rail. We will need to assess the OBC and will make announcements on how to proceed with the project in due course.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when work could begin on the first parts of the Midlands Rail Hub.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department expects to receive the Outline Business Case for Midlands Rail Hub today (14th November 2022).
We now need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives, value for taxpayer money, and affordability.
The Outline Business Case will propose timescales for delivery of the scheme.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of building the Midlands Rail Hub on the economy of (a) the midlands and (b) the UK.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport expects to receive an Outline Business Case for Midlands Rail Hub today, 14th November. We will need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives – including to the economy of the UK and Midlands region – alongside value for taxpayer money, and affordability considering the forthcoming Autumn Statement.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on levelling up Leicestershire.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department has received the Outline Business Case for Midlands Rail Hub.
We now need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives, value for taxpayer money, and affordability considering the forthcoming Autumn Statement.
The Outline Business Case will propose timescales for delivery of the scheme.