I. Introduction

Contents I. Introduction – page 1 II. The Integrated Rail Plan Briefing – pages 2-5 III. Appendices – pages 6-11

I. Introduction

On 18 November 2021, the Government published the long-awaited Integrated Rail Plan for the North & Midlands, outlining the Government’s investment in the railway network in the Midlands and the North.

This briefing is for RIA Members only and we ask that you do not share it beyond your organisation.

It reflects RIA’s analysis and views on the IRP for RIA Members. If you have any questions about the briefing, please contact RIA Senior Policy Executive Francesca Lentini at francesca.lentini@riagb.org.uk

and 020 7201 0777 / 07904 991067.

It is worth noting that the IRP is not the only rail investment plan for the UK and that there will be further opportunities for the Government to confirm additional rail investments, for example as part of the PR23 process and on a ‘business case by business case’ basis. For instance, the Union Connectivity Review already identifies additional schemes.

II. The Integrated Rail Plan Briefing

1) Core Projects

a) Opportunities

The Integrated Rail Plan for the North & Midlands (IRP) commits to building three new high speed lines for a total of 110 miles of route: i) HS2 from Crewe to Manchester, on the route and line speed as previously planned, with new stations at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly. ii) HS2 from the West Midlands to East Midlands Parkway (HS2 East), on the route and line speed as previously planned. (1) From here, HS2 trains will continue directly to Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, and Sheffield on the upgraded and electrified Midland Main Line. (2) Unlike the original plans, HS2 will serve Nottingham and Derby city centres. iii) On Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a new build high speed line between Warrington,

Manchester and Yorkshire (Marsden), east of which the line will be upgraded.

Please refer to Annex A for more details.