Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the draft Rail Strategy for Leicester and Leicestershire (including HS2) which had been developed in partnership with Leicester City Council and the Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), and proposals for the Authority to revise its formal position on the HS2 eastern leg in the light of the work done to develop the Strategy and recent Government announcements in respect of the HS2 Toton Station in Nottinghamshire.   A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes.

 

Members noted comments received from the Labour Group, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

 

Mr. Osborne CC said that the Strategy focused on areas identified as offering the best Gross Value Added (GVA) potential and would enable the Authority and its partners to engage with the rail industry regarding future network proposals and in particular the planning for HS2 Phase 2, to ensure that investment best supported local economic and housing growth needs. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the content of the draft Rail Strategy be noted, and in particular the four key priorities contained therein as follows:-

 

(i)         Maximising the benefits from increased investment in the Midland Main Line railway infrastructure and services;

 

(ii)        Ensuring that the interests of residents and businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire are reflected in the planning and implementation of the eastern leg of HS2;

 

(iii)       Seeking the necessary investment commitments to improve direct fast rail connectivity to key regional and national destinations, including to Coventry and Birmingham; and

 

(iv)       Ensuring that rail access is a consideration in the planning of new developments;

 

(b)       That it be noted that the work undertaken in preparing the draft Strategy has highlighted economic benefits that would arise from the implementation of eastern leg of HS2 with the East Midlands Hub station being located at Toton;

 

(c)       That the County Council’s formal position on the eastern leg of HS2 be amended to one of support in principle, subject to the Government confirming the route as quickly as possible to give certainty to residents and businesses, and working constructively with this Council and others to ensure:-

 

(i)         That the adverse impacts of the HS2 route through Leicestershire previously highlighted by the County Council are minimised;

 

(ii)        That the published route of the HS2 line running under East Midlands Airport and the proposed East Midlands Strategic Rail Freight Interchange is maintained;

 

(iii)       That the HS2 proposals provide the necessary rail connectivity and track/station capacity to allow for the operation of direct, ‘classic compatible’ rail services from Leicestershire stations, via Toton to/from destinations in Northern England;

 

(iv)       The prompt delivery of improvements to the Midland Main Line (MML) railway to achieve sub 60-minute journey time to London, including:

 

·      to improve line-speed (including track straightening at Market Harborough);

·      to improve line capacity; and

·      to improve electrification;

(v)        That there is no diminution of rail services to London on the MML post opening of HS2, in terms of journey time, frequency of services and general standard of rolling stock;

 

(d)       That an engagement exercise take place on the draft Strategy, to include rail industry bodies, business groups, and adjoining authorities;

 

(e)       That it be noted that following on from the engagement exercise a final version of the Strategy will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval prior to its adoption by the County Council as a formal Policy Document; and

 

(f)        That it be noted that work to reinvestigate the potential reopening of the Leicester to Burton freight line to passenger traffic is still ongoing and that a separate report will be submitted to the Cabinet once the work has been completed.

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

To enable work to finalise the Strategy to be progressed, including an engagement exercise on the draft document.

 

To revise the Council’s position on HS2 in the light of prevailing circumstances.