Businesses fear HS2 faces cuts in impending rail plan
GOVERNMENT URGED TO ‘PUT MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS’
BUSINESS groups and MPs have expressed frustration with suggestions that plans to upgrade rail links in the Midlands and the North are to be watered down.
The PA news agency understands Transport Secretary Grant Shapps could announce the results of the integrated rail plan – which should include an announcement on HS2 between Birmingham and Leeds – tomorrow.
There is growing speculation the government will commit to building the western leg of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester but put the brakes on the Leeds option following years of spiralling costs.
The Sunday Times has suggested the rail plan will also contain high speed upgrades across the North and the Midlands, cutting journey times from Leeds to Sheffield, Crewe to Manchester and from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway.
Previous reports have suggested the eastern leg could even end at East Midlands Parkway, linking it to the Midlands Mainline.
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “It’s disappointing to see speculation mounting again about the long-term future of the eastern leg of HS2.
“Here in Greater Birmingham, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact it has had on creating jobs, attracting private sector investment and raising the profile of the region on the global scale.
“If the government is serious about delivering the levelling up agenda, it is essential HS2 is delivered in full – as the PM committed to at the start of his premiership.
“In the meantime, we will await to review the publication of the Integrated Rail Plan and hopefully we will see a commitment to proceeding with the Midlands Rail Hub – a project which has gathered significant support from businesses and stakeholders alike.”
The i newspaper said the plan in the North will only commit to investing into existing Transpennine route upgrade proposals rather than build a new high-speed route via Bradford, which would also create increased capacity.
Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, said: “This is Boris pulling the whole damn rug from under our feet and ripping up the floor behind him.”
Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said ministers were attempting to “quietly back out” of infrastructure schemes that they had “committed to dozens of times”.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said Northern Powerhouse Rail – the name given to proposals for an east-to-west high-speed train line across the North – had been “a fraud”.
As recently as the Conservative Party conference last month, Mr Johnson said in his leader’s speech that the government “will do Northern Powerhouse Rail, we will link up the cities of the Midlands and the North”.
Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake, who represents Thirsk and Malton in North Yorkshire, told the i the trimmed back plans indicated the government was “not willing to put our money where our mouth is”.
Mr McMahon said: “It’s laughable that the government expects people in the North to be grateful for some half-baked and repackaged plans, as they attempt to quietly back out of promises made on the vital major infrastructure projects those communities need so badly.
“Failure to deliver on HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail – schemes ministers have committed to dozens of times – is not only insulting, it is actively holding back investment and opportunity that could benefit millions of people.”
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “Work is continuing on the integrated rail plan.
“We will publish it shortly and do not comment on speculation.”