Decision details

Purpose of Report - This is a consultation issued by the national government through the Department for Transport in February 2011. The closing date for the consultation is 29 July 2011. The initial London-West Midlands phase could be operational by 2016, with the second phase to Manchester and Leeds opening in around 2032-33. The Cabinet is asked to: Note the contents of the report. Endorse the proposed consultation response or instruct officers to amend the proposed response. Members and officers continue to lobby through the appropriate forums to maximise the benefits of high speed rail for York and lobby for ongoing investment in the East Coast Main Line in the meantime.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the contents of the report be noted.

                        (ii)        That the draft response be amended to address the issues of:

·        the interim position after the construction of phase 1

·        rail links to the Midland main line and electrification of the line through to York.

                        (ii)        That, subject to those amendments, the draft response be submitted as the Council’s response to the Government’s consultation on a high speed rail network.

REASON:      To enable a response reflecting Members’ views to be submitted before the closing date of 29 July 2011.