Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness and Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, have met with infrastructure consultancy AECOM and the Minsters Rail group to discuss next steps for the proposed new rail line to link York and Hull through the Wolds towns.
The proposed new rail line, which received £50,000 from the Government to fund a Strategic Outline Business Case, is currently being considered by the Department for Transport for further funding.
Working with AECOM, Graham, alongside York MPs Julian Sturdy and Rachael Maskell, Hull MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Emma Hardy and East Riding MPs Sir Greg Knight and David Davis is pressing for funding to develop the business case to establish demand for the new route.
AECOM is confident in the benefits of further work to inform the case for the line, which would transform connectivity for the towns and villages between York and Hull, as well as help the two great Northern cities by encouraging increased housing.
Commenting, Graham said, “I’m grateful to AECOM and the Minsters Rail Campaign for coming to Westminster to present their vision for the future of rail in the East Riding.
“Connecting the two great Northern cities of York and Hull would make the East Riding a new powerhouse, linking those who live between York and Hull to the national rail network and opening new work opportunities along the new route.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Huw Merriman, the Rail Minister, in the coming weeks to present the vision of York to Hull rail, and the transformative impact it will have on Beverley.”
Commenting, Roy Begg of the Minsters Rail campaign said, "Being able to attend a meeting at Westminster which Graham Stuart MP had arranged, along with other supporting MPs to discuss the next stage in the development of the York to Hull railway is a clear indication of the continued commitment and belief in this campaign.
“Our partners AECOM were able to explain the findings from the Strategic Outline Business Case and identified the requirement to complete further development studies to allow clear understanding of the region's demands and costs of the project."
Commenting, Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, said, “It was good to attend this meeting yesterday.
“A great opportunity to hear about the potential upsides to this project which would really help to connect York with Hull, providing a boost to York’s economy, commuters and just generally better connect Yorkshire.
“I look forward to seeing the next steps”.
AECOM Rail Director Simon Middleton said: “It’s clear that there is huge potential with this project, so the next step is to carefully look at all the evidence and assess elements such as the cost and benefits, including the connected growth of the region, to enable informed decision making.”
