MPs Call for fair share of rail investment for the North

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– New cross-party MPs action group formed –

A cross-party group of MPs have come together to establish a new all Parliamentary group to promote investment in rail in the North of England that supports economic growth.

The new group will initially focus on:

·       New commuter trains for the North (growth in rail passengers has been much faster in the North than the rest of the country and currently the North has some of the worst, oldest and most over crowded commuter trains in the country).

·       Modern, fast and frequent commuter rail services and links between the cities of the North, and – as a first step towards this – delivering the Northern Hub project to tackle the biggest bottlenecks on the North’s rail network

The group held its inaugural meeting just before Parliament rose for the Summer Recess at the end of July.

Angela C Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has been selected by fellow MPs to chair the new all party parliamentary group on rail in the north.

Speaking after the MPs met for the first time to discuss priorities, Angela Smith said:

“I’m delighted that I have been given the opportunity to Chair an all party group to speak out for the North’s railways.  Now more than ever the North needs its MPs to take a lead in ensuring that our rail networks get a fair deal.  Even in such difficult financial times, it has to be recognised that investment now in rail in the north has longer term benefits for the economy which will be lost if the right decisions are not made.  The North has not been getting its fair share of rail investment – particularly when compared to London and the South East. The group will be promoting rail in the north and calling for additional rolling stock to tackle overcrowding and improvements to capacity that the Northern Hub will bring about.”

The All Party Group is supported by the five Northern ITAs and PTEs, the North West Rail Campaign, the Northern Way and Network Rail.

David Brown, Director General of SYPTE, speaking on behalf of the Northern PTEs said:

“We are pleased to be able to support the MPs in making the case for investment in the North’s rail network.  To fight their way out of the recent economic downturn, our city regions need modern and efficient commuter rail networks so that people can access city centre jobs and opportunities. They also need better rail connectivity – both between the cities of the North and with London.”

Roger Jones, from the North West Rail Campaign added:

“We recognise that we must band together across the whole of the North if we are to see the key improvements we need.  It is in all our interests to support the MPs in making the case for our railways.  I’m particularly pleased that the Northern Hub is being supported – which shows why it’s important for the whole of the North, and not just the North West.”

Professor David Begg Chairman of the Northern Way Transport Compact said:

“The North’s railways and the North’s economic future are inseparable. The modern economy requires exceptionally good links within and between the North’s city regions and with London and the railways can help provide them in a low carbon way. It is very welcome news that the North’s MPs are coming together to press the case for some much needed key investments that will support the North’s economic recovery and growth.”

MPs plan to write to the Secretary of State for Transport outlining their concerns and to work within Parliament to make the case for investment.

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