Agenda item

[Mr. R. Blunt CC left the meeting during consideration of this item.]

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which sought approval of the Council’s proposed response to the East Midlands Rail Franchise consultation, to advise of the impact of the Department for Transport announcement to cancel electrification of the Midland Mainline (MML) north of Kettering on the delivery of the priorities set out in the Leicester and Leicestershire Rail Strategy, and to re-affirm the Council’s position, in light of this announcement, on the now confirmed route for HS2 Phase 2b, as set out in Appendix A.  A copy of the report, marked ‘11’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments received from Mr Sheahan CC, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

The Director of Environment and Transport highlighted that the Chancellor in his recent speech at the Conservative Party Conference had announced a further £300m to future proof the railway network in the north to ensure HS2 infrastructure could link up with future Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Rail projects.  The Director confirmed that officers were seeking clarification of what this might mean for rail projects in the Midlands and whether this might affect Leicester and Leicestershire.

Mr Rushton CC said he was very disappointed by the announcement not to proceed with electrification of the MML and felt that bi-mode trains would not prove to be adequate.

RESOLVED:

(a)          That the proposed County Council response to the Government’s East Midlands Rail Franchise consultation as set out in Appendix B to the report be approved;

(b)          That the Government announcement to cancel the proposed electrification of the Midland Mainline north of Kettering and to instead introduce bi-mode inter-city trains by 2022 be noted with regret, together with the effect this will have on the future delivery of priorities identified in the Leicester and Leicestershire Rail Strategy;

(c)          That the Director of Environment and Transport be authorised to:

(i)            Undertake work, as necessary, to make the case to the Department for Transport (DfT) to reverse its decision to cancel electrification of the Midland Main Line north of Kettering;

(ii)          Enter into discussions with the DfT and other bodies, as necessary, to seek clarification and assurances in respect to concerns about future rail services on the Midland Mainline, as set out in paragraph 39 of this report;

(d)          That the Council continue its support, in principle, for the now confirmed route of HS2 subject to the caveats previously agreed and set out in Appendix C, and those issues now identified in paragraph 49 of this report;

(e)          That the Director of Environment and Transport explore opportunities through the HS2 Phase 2b hybrid Bill or other means to achieve the objectives and benefits of the Leicester and Leicestershire Rail Strategy with regards to HS2;

(f)           That the Council’s support for HS2 be reviewed following the introduction of the HS2 Phase 2b hybrid Bill (to be introduced to Parliament in 2019) and the response to the reassurances sought on Midland Mainline performance in accordance with (c)(ii) above, and that a further report be brought back to the Cabinet as appropriate.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Government has set out its proposals to improve train services on the East Midlands rail network under the new East Midlands rail franchise and is seeking feedback on those proposals. 

Confirmation of the Authority’s position on the eastern leg of HS2 and MML electrification will enable officers to engage with the DfT to seek outcomes that are for the benefit of Leicester and Leicestershire residents and businesses and which will ensure that the priorities identified in the Leicester and Leicestershire Rail Strategy can be met.  This will enable the Authority to respond appropriately to correspondence and enquiries regarding rail.