As part of the third phase of NPR, we will deliver better cross-Pennine links over and above the Transpennine Route Upgrade already underway, of which Manchester-Sheffield is a key part. NPR will unlock economic growth benefits by improving connectivity to Manchester Airport from across the North, including a new Manchester Airport station. Further details, including of future services, will be confirmed following engagement with local leaders on priorities and specific infrastructure choices.

West Midland Trains is working with the industry and stakeholders on a proposal to amend its Stafford to Crewe service including a potential extension to Manchester Airport. The introduction of new services will require a business case that demonstrates value for money, as well as minimising any risk to the performance of existing services.

Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and the provision and charging of car parking at airports (including drop-off and pick-up charges) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify.

However, DfT expects car parking at airports, such as Manchester, to be managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly.

The UK is a member of EUROCONTROL, a Pan-European inter-governmental body, which is responsible for working with Member States and their Air Navigation Service Providers to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently.

My Departmental officials have and continue to engage with European states to discuss European air traffic control resilience issues including resourcing and operating systems that impact UK operations users including those travelling to and from Manchester Airport.

Department Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK airlines, including those that operate out of Manchester Airport, to discuss resilience issues such as impacts on UK operations from delays in European airspace.

The UK is a member of EUROCONTROL, a Pan-European inter-governmental body, which is responsible for working with Member States and their Air Navigation Service Providers to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently.

My department has and continues to engage with European states and industry to discuss air traffic control capacity and mitigations to delays which impact UK airspace users and passengers.

The UK is a member of EUROCONTROL, a Pan-European inter-governmental body, which is responsible for working with Member States and their Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP’s) to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently. My department has and continues to engage with European states and industry to discuss air traffic control capacity and mitigations to delays which impact UK airspace users and passengers.

I recognise that Manchester Airport station needs to be improved, both in terms of its capacity and its passenger experience. That is why Network Rail is working with TransPennine Express as the station operator and local stakeholders including Manchester Airports Group to extend the platforms to allow more trains to serve the station. At the same time, we are looking at how to improve the experience for passengers, including those from overseas, for whom this station is a major gateway to Manchester and the whole of the North.

The Department has made no assessment of the potential impact of the capacity and adequacy of infrastructure supporting Manchester Airport, the Port of Liverpool, and the rail connections between them on the negotiation of recent trade deals.

The Department welcomes recent investment into Manchester Airport’s terminals and the Port of Liverpool. We would welcome further infrastructure that supports connectivity between the two sites, in as far as any scheme is delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.

The Government recommends that masterplans and surface access strategies are updated every five years, and we work closely with all airports, including Manchester Airport, as they develop and update their plans.

It is the responsibility of airports to work closely with local stakeholders to develop masterplans and surface access strategies to improve airport access, noting that improvements to airport surface access are generally funded by the airport themselves.

The Department has no plans currently to make an assessment of the potential impact of improving infrastructure surrounding Manchester Airport and the Port of Liverpool on levels of trade through recent international trade deals and foreign direct investment in those areas.

The Department for Transport welcomes recent investment into Manchester Airport’s terminals and the Port of Liverpool.

The Manchester Task Force was made up of Department for Transport (DfT) officials and representatives from Network Rail, train operators, Rail North Partnership (RNP), Transport for the North (TfN) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The task force also had the benefit from expert industry analysis and insight.

After gathering evidence, developing options and consulting with stakeholders and passengers, it identified a range of short and long-term actions to improve the performance of the railway in Manchester and thereby across the North and to support future growth in passengers.

The Task Force formulated a series of recommendations with input from DfT officials and officers from TfN, TfGM and RNP on which Ministers and Northern leaders made a decision on a new timetable.

The Manchester Task Force (MTF) began meeting in February 2020, made up of Department for Transport, Network Rail, train operators, Rail North Partnership, Transport for the North and Transport for Greater Manchester. Through gathering evidence, developing options and publicly consulting, the task force identified a range of short and long-term actions to improve the performance of the railway in Manchester/across the North and support future growth in passengers.

The task force identified the Sheffield-Manchester Airport service, which reversed at Manchester Piccadilly, consuming two train paths in each direction, as one of the worst performing, with a significant impact on delays across the network.

The new timetable developed by MTF has delivered improvements in reliability of around 30 per cent, and the task force concept is now being used to resolve issues on the East Coast main line. As new infrastructure is realised and longer trains allow for a greater capacity with less congestion, we will look at services that could be reintroduced, possibly including direct services from Sheffield to the Airport, although there could be other towns and cities making a case for their pre-2022 direct connections to be restored as well.

This service was withdrawn in December 2022 in the timetable developed by the Manchester Task Force, a cross-industry group comprising of Transport for the North, train operators and Network Rail, to deliver more reliable services through Manchester.

The task force identified the Sheffield-Manchester Airport service, which reverses at Manchester Piccadilly, consuming two train paths in each direction, as one of the worst performing, with a significant impact on delays across the network.

The new timetable has delivered improvements in reliability of around 30 per cent, and the task force concept is now being used to resolve issues on the East Coast main line. As new infrastructure is realised and longer trains allow for a greater capacity with less congestion, we will look at services that could be reintroduced, possibly including direct services from Sheffield to the Airport, though there could be other towns and cities making a case for their pre-2022 direct connections to be restored as well.

No assessment has been made. However, the Manchester Taskforce has identified a number of infrastructure constraints impacting on the operational deliverability of additional direct services to Manchester Airport, including services that previously operated.

Whilst longer term plans are being developed, work continues on improving the passenger experience for those having to change trains.

I wrote to the Noble Lord in July, explaining this service was withdrawn in December 2022 as part of the Manchester Task Force’s proposals to address the challenges of Manchester’s constrained capacity. We remain committed to improved rail connectivity in growing the Northern and national economy.

Manchester Airport Group are investing £1.3 Billion in infrastructure transformation at Manchester Airport. During 2025, the Airport will transition from being a three-terminal operation to two terminals, and forecast passenger growth of 22% over the next two years.

As a consequence, Border Force have to reshape their operating model in line with the infrastructure changes. In addition, Border Force at Manchester Airport have seen the introduction of new rosters on an annual basis over several years.

The ambition is that all staff will be able to work the new roster. Anyone with a contractual workplace adjustment who is unable to work the roster will be given tailored individual support to secure suitable alternative roles.

The programme team have undertaken regular engagement with PCS and will continue to do so.

Manchester Airport Group are investing £1.3 Billion in infrastructure transformation at Manchester Airport. During 2025, the Airport will transition from being a three-terminal operation to two terminals, and forecast passenger growth of 22% over the next two years.

As a consequence, Border Force have to reshape their operating model in line with the infrastructure changes. In addition, Border Force at Manchester Airport have seen the introduction of new rosters on an annual basis over several years.

The ambition is that all staff will be able to work the new roster. Anyone with a contractual workplace adjustment who is unable to work the roster will be given tailored individual support to secure suitable alternative roles.

The programme team have undertaken regular engagement with PCS and will continue to do so.