Northern leg of HS2 expected to be scrapped
MP's have said it will only reinforce the 'old north-south divide'
Last updated 18th Nov 2021
The Government is expected to announce today that the eastern leg of HS2 will be scrapped between the East Midlands and Leeds.
There's also frustration that improvements to east-west connections across the North are likely to involve upgrades, rather than a new line between Manchester and Leeds.
Though, Boris Johnson insists northern England will "benefit massively" from rail upgrades.
Abandoning the 'levelling-up' pledge
The new Northern Powerhouse Line is also expected to be abandoned in favour of upgrades to existing lines.
James Lewis, leader of Leeds, said the decision reinforced the "old north-south divide".
"We believe that anything less than a commitment to the eastern leg of HS2 as part of an integrated network with Northern Powerhouse Rail in full would undermine any pledge to 'level up' our regions - at a time when we need it most."
The Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin also wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister:
Henri Murison, manager of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, says the region cannot improve without improvements in transport.
"What I want to see is a northern England that is thriving and is successful, and that needs we need investment in infrastructure and transport, as well as in skills and education."
However, the Prime Minister says that the rail report released today will reveal the government's plans to cut journey times and "make life easier and better" for people "across the whole of the North of the country".