The PM, Rishi Sunak, has announced a new £36 billion transport scheme called 'Network North' in an effort to improve rail and road travel in Northern England. The decision comes after the costly HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester was scrapped.

New Investments for Travel in Northern England

The £36 billion that will be saved from abandoning HS2 will now be allocated to various transport projects. This includes the development of an east-west rail link and a tram network in Leeds. In addition, there will be 70 major road upgrades, including improvements to the M6 motorway and the A1, as well as resurfacing works across the country.

'No government has developed a more ambitious scheme for northern transport'

During his speech at the Tory conference in Manchester, Sunak expressed his confidence in the Network North scheme. He stated, "No government has developed a more ambitious scheme for northern transport than our new Network North. I challenge anyone to tell me that all of that isn't what the North really needs."

HS2 Plan to Connect Manchester and Liverpool Will Proceed

Although the HS2 plan has been halted, the £12 billion proposal to link Manchester and Liverpool will still move forward. This decision aims to protect the economic growth potential of the region while addressing the concerns surrounding the HS2 project.

Positive Response from West Midlands Mayor

Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of West Midlands, expressed his support for the compromise made by the government. He stated, "It's a good compromise that delivers for people and businesses across the country and makes the long-term future of our region more secure."

Concerns Over Neglecting the North of England

On the other hand, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham questioned whether the UK has the will to prioritize the North of England. He called for a greater emphasis on investments and improvements in the Northern region.

David Cameron Voices Concerns

Former Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his apprehensions regarding the decision, stating, "It will fuel the views of people who argue we can no longer think or act for the long term as a country."