Revamping Transportation in Northern England
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has unveiled a £36 billion transport scheme called 'Network North' to improve rail and road travel in Northern England. This comes after the costly HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester was halted.
Investing in Infrastructure
With the cancellation of HS2, Sunak plans to redirect the saved funds towards various transport projects. These include the development of an east-west rail link and a tram network in Leeds. Additionally, there will be 70 major road upgrades, including improvements to the M6 motorway and the A1, as well as resurfacing works across the country.
Ambitious Plans for Northern Transport
During his speech at the Tory conference in Manchester, Sunak emphasized the significance of the 'Network North' scheme, stating that no government has introduced a more ambitious plan for northern transport. He challenged critics to argue against the necessity of these developments.
Shifting Priorities Post-Covid
Sunak justified the decision to scrap HS2 by highlighting the economic changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. With a decrease in business travel, the economic case for HS2 has weakened. However, the plan to connect Manchester and Liverpool with a £12 billion link will continue.
Support and Criticism
The announcement prevented the resignation of West Midlands mayor Andy Street, who called it a "good compromise." However, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham raised concerns about the country's willingness to prioritize the North of England. Former Prime Minister David Cameron expressed worries that this decision reflects a short-term mindset for the country.
