16.02.18
NIC chair: Government must commit to clear plan for Crossrail 2 and NPR
Progress on Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail has been branded “hugely disappointing”, by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) chair, Sir John Armitt.
The NIC’s first Annual Monitoring Report, published today, has raised concerns over the government’s failure to establish a firm timetable or funding plan for the two schemes.
The report also criticises the mobile phone coverage on the country’s railway lines.
Last year, the NIC made several key recommendations, and highlighted areas which required urgent action, including introduction of the hybrid Bill for phase 2a of HS2 and publication of the finalised route for 2b; publication of a single integrated plan for phase one of HS3, now known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR); and a published plan for the funding and phased construction of Crossrail 2.
It also recommended a comprehensive plan for the delivery of high quality mobile services alongside main railway lines.
NIC chair, Armitt, said that although progress has been made since these recommendations, there is a “disappointing lack of pace in several areas,” arguing that “much greater urgency” is needed to tackle the poor mobile phone signal coverage on major railway lines.
The report found that progress had been slower regarding the redevelopment of Manchester Piccadilly station, but welcomed the establishment of the Manchester Piccadilly Joint Board to provide advice and implementation of a new scheme for the station.
It calls on the government and other stakeholders to work together to agree a preferred redevelopment option by the end of this year, to avoid delay to any necessary amendments to the HS2 phase 2b Bill.
Criticising the progress made on the two rail schemes, Armitt said: “It is hugely disappointing that nearly two years after the Commission’s reports on Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, the government still has not firmly committed to a timetable for funding or got a clear plan for delivering either of these nationally significant projects.
“It is vital that decisions on both schemes are made this year and that the government commits to the long-term vision that supports the recommendations we made.”
Top image: Nick Ansell PA Archive
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