UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £36 billion transport scheme called 'Network North' to boost rail and road travel in the northern regions of England. The project comes as the costly HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester has been scrapped. Sunak stated that the funds saved from scrapping HS2 will be redirected towards various projects, including an east-west rail link, a tram network for Leeds, and 70 major road upgrades, including improvements to the M6 motorway and the A1. The Chancellor presented Network North at the Tory conference in Manchester, stating that it is the most ambitious scheme for northern transportation to date.
Cash saved from HS2 redirected towards improving transport in the North
Rishi Sunak has promised a £36 billion transport scheme called 'Network North' to improve travel in northern England. This comes after the announcement that the costly HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester has been abandoned. The funds saved from scrapping HS2 will be used for various projects, such as an east-west rail link, a tram network for Leeds, and major road upgrades across the country. Sunak stated that this ambitious scheme is exactly what the North needs to boost its economy and connectivity.
Boost for travellers with improved rail and road infrastructure
In a major development for transportation in the North, Rishi Sunak has unveiled the £36 billion 'Network North' transport scheme. The plan includes an east-west rail link, a tram network for Leeds, and 70 major road upgrades, such as improvements to the M6 motorway and the A1. Sunak believes that these improvements are crucial to support the region's economic growth and enhance connectivity. The scheme aims to address the needs of travellers by providing better rail and road infrastructure.
Green light for Midlands rail hub and Manchester-Liverpool link
While the HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester has been scrapped, Rishi Sunak has ensured that the £12 billion plan to connect Manchester and Liverpool will proceed. In addition, a Midlands rail hub that will connect 50 stations has received approval. This move has prevented the resignation of the Conservative Party's West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, who described it as a promising compromise. However, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has expressed concerns about whether the North of England is truly being prioritised in terms of infrastructure development.
Debate over economic priorities and long-term planning
The decision to abandon the HS2 link and invest in 'Network North' has drawn mixed reactions. Former PM David Cameron has argued that this move may fuel the perception that the country is not considering long-term planning and prioritising the North. However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak defended the decision, stating that the economic case for HS2 had weakened due to a decline in business travel post-Covid. The debate over economic priorities and the need for long-term planning continues in the wake of the Network North transport scheme announcement.
