Hull North’s MP would welcome a direct rail link between Hull and Liverpool
But Labour’s Diana Johnson also called for a rethink on government rail plans
Hull North’s MP has welcomed proposals to launch a Hull to Liverpool train service later this year but called for a rethink on government rail plans.
Labour’s Diana Johnson tweeted that she would welcome a direct link between the two cities which could launch in December but branded the government’s Integrated Rail Plan inadequate.
Dame Diana has also written to route operator TransPennine Express along with fellow Hull MPs Emma Hardy and Karl Turner saying the proposals came after a decade of rail neglect.
The MPs wrote that while a direct Hull to Liverpool route was considered essential for wider levelling up in the Humber, it would merely restore something which existed previously.
It comes as TransPennine Express’ consultation on the Hull to Liverpool route closed on Friday, January 14.
The firm said a direct route between the two cities would cut journey times by 25 minutes and improve connectivity in the North, east to west.
The company added it was also looking at putting on new seasonal services between York and Scarborough by May 2023, including ones which call at Malton and Seamer.
TransPennine Express Managing Director Matthew Golton said the new routes would give customers more flexibility and opportunities to explore the North.
Mr Golton said: “We have listened to, and worked closely with, stakeholders from across the communities we serve to create these plans, which would boost East-West connectivity between Hull and Liverpool and improve journey times.”
Hull City Council leader Cllr Daren Hale said he looked forward to working with TransPennine Express to make sure new routes would bring real benefits to East Yorkshire.
The council leader said: “It’s fantastic to see TransPennine Express working to give the people of Hull improved connectivity, faster services and a full coast-to-coast service connected some of the major towns and cities in the North.”
Dame Diana and Hull East’s Mr Turner and Hull West and Hessle’s Ms Hardy wrote they also welcomed the proposals.
But they added they remained disappointed in the government’s Integrated Rail Plan unveiled in November.
Their letter comes after the £96bn Plan failed to include plans to electrify the Hull to Selby line despite committing to do so on other routes.
Transport for the North’s Interim Vice Chair Cllr Louise Gittins branded the Plan woefully inadequate.
Hull’s three MPs wrote: “The revival of the Hull to Liverpool route makes economic sense in the context of the restricted options available due to the failure of the Plan to expand rail capacity for passengers and freight across the North over the next 30 years.
“Despite the strong business case, addressing Hull’s lack of a direct rail link to Manchester Airport will also remain challenging for rail passengers.
“With these capacity restrictions, service improvements for Hull and the Humber could only happen at the expense of other parts of the North.
“Such cuts would be self-defeating to our shared wish to level up the North on a scale that would boost the overall growth of the UK economy.
“We are aware that even this limited proposal for the Hull to Liverpool link would require adjustments to timings of Northern train services on the Hull-Leeds-Halifax route.
“Only by seeing far greater and sustained investment in high speed rail capacity can we see further improvement to rail services in all parts of the North.”