Grayling’s advice to North on transport fails to impress

CHRIS GRAYLING has provoked controversy by suggesting that solving transport problems in the north of England “depends on the North itself ”.

Mr Grayling, the Transport Secretary, said it was “not up to central Government” to come up with answers to congestion, prompting accusations that he was showing “contempt” for the region.

It comes after a series of rail links in the North, Wales and Midlands were downgraded last month at the same time the Government was announcing its backing for a new £30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme in London.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post ahead of a summit on northern transport yesterday, Mr Grayling said: “Although one of my biggest priorities as Secretary of State is to build the transport links the North needs to thrive, they must be designed and managed by the North itself.”

He added: “It is central government’s responsibility to provide funding and a delivery structure that ensures efficiency, value for money and accountability. But beyond this, I want the North to take control.

“Tremendous opportunities are opening up to connect the major northern cities with modern new links, and deliver the extra capacity to tackle congestion and overcrowding. But ultimately, it is not up to central government to grasp these opportunities. The success of northern transport depends on the North itself.”

Civic and business leaders who gathered for the summit in Leeds reacted angrily to the article. Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said it was an “abdication of responsibility” by the Secretary of State, while Judith Dore, Sheffield City Council leader, said the remarks showed “quite clearly his particular contempt for the North of England”. Judith Blake, Leeds City Council leader, said: “Would Mr Grayling be suggesting that the South East should go away and sort out its transport problems?”