Yesterday, ministers were confronted by a fierce backlash from the North because they planned to cut two high speed rail projects.
The Government is set to confirm tomorrow that it is ditching the HS3 line across the Pennines linking Manchester and Leeds – part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.
The east leg of HS2 that links Birmingham with Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds is likely to be axed. The move comes after Boris Johnson told MPs last year: ‘Both are needed and both will be built.’
But ministers are instead expected to focus on a series of upgrades to existing tracks – some dating from the Victorian era – arguing they will produce benefits far more quickly and cheaply.
The Government is set to confirm tomorrow that it is ditching the HS3 line across the Pennines linking Manchester and LeedsBoris Johnson told MPs last year: ‘Both are needed and both will be built’
Red Wall Tory MPs and Provincial Mayors reacted violently to the publication of the front page by six regional newspapers, calling for ministers’ full delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail Rail and HS2 commitments.
The mockup featured Mr Johnson and the other ministers, based on Trainspotting’s 1996 hit film. Echoing Ewan McGregor’s famous ‘Choose life’ monologue in the movie, it said: ‘Choose the North. Choose jobs. You can keep your rail promises. You can choose new rail links that offer shorter travel times, and less cars on the road. Northern Powerhouse Rail. Choose HS2 in full.’ The front page appeared in papers in Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle and Teesside.
Red Wall Tories and other northern MPs were said to be ‘incandescent’ over the U-turn.
One ex-Tory minister based in the North told the Mail: ‘Colleagues are absolutely furious because it looks like we are being short-changed yet again.
One of two tunnelling machines located at the south portal, HS2 alignment compound in Rickmansworth (Hertfordshire).
‘It’s gone from the PM saying he wanted to build a Crossrail for the North to a few upgrades of existing lines, most of which have been announced three times before. It’s a crock of s***’. West Yorkshire’s Labour mayor Tracy Brabin said: ‘It’s a complete betrayal of the North and the promise to level up.
‘MPs of all stripes are incandescent. Behind the scenes the new intake of Conservative MPs is very nervous and angry.’
Greater Manchester’s Labour mayor Andy Burnham tweeted: ‘No expense spared for the South. There is no money for the North. This isn’t “levelling up”. This is the same old story.’
Officials had warned the need to drill a tunnel under the Pennines would cost up to £40billion. It was also feared the bill for HS2’s ‘eastern leg’ could hit a similar figure.
The PM’s spokesman said yesterday: ‘We are fully committed to strengthening the rail links in our cities, across the Midlands and the North.’ He said Mr Johnson ‘recognises the importance of improving journey times across the country.’