Written Question: New North-South Line

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport on 29 June (HC12808), when they estimate they will deliver a full North-South new line between Birmingham and Manchester.

Minister of State, department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, CBE):

The Northern Growth Strategy set out the Government’s long-term intention to build a new line between Birmingham and Manchester, following the delivery of HS2 Phase One and Northern Powerhouse Rail. In the meantime, we are learning lessons from HS2 and undertaking feasibility work with local partners before decisions on specification and delivery timescales are made.