Integrated Rail Plan delayed by local elections rules The publication of the government’s eagerly-awaited Integrated Rail Plan will be delayed until after the local elections due to purdah rules. The plan will set out how HS2 Phase 2b will work alongside other schemes including Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Rail Hub and the Trans-Pennine Upgrade. It was earmarked for publication “early in 2021”. However, rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris has confirmed that the Department for Transport (DfT) will not have time to publish the report before purdah starts later this month. It means the report will not be published before the elections take place on May 6.