HS2 scrapped - so much for levelling up in the Midlands and North

The Conservatives promised to deliver HS2 yet today they have scrapped it. As recently as last week, the PM responded to questions about its future saying, “spades are in the ground.”

Cllr Izzy Knowles said “The decision to cut the Northern link of HS2 now is absolutely bonkers.

“It makes a mockery of all the talk of levelling up the North and Midlands and it puts regional and local projects such as the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect which are designed to bring investment and prosperity to our region into jeopardy.

“This would include the building of the Camp Hill Chords which would turn a proposed two train an hour service into a commuter line fit for our city, investing in extra platforms at Moor Street and freeing up capacity at New St.

Cllr Colin Green said “Sunak’s decision to cut HS2 shows his limited ambition for Britain.  His future is one of short-sighted cuts and managed decline.

“Britain wants a more optimistic vision of the future.  They want a country that is investing in its future and that is embracing the 21st century. 

“Rishi’s Tories want to shrink back from the challenges of the environment, transport and levelling up.  The Lib Dems continue to support HS2, to link our city with Manchester, Sheffield, London and beyond.

Group Leader Roger Harmer responded to the news that investment would be diverted into other projects “HS2 was promised to this region, Rishi’s decision means that the new station will be badly under-utilised without the high-speed link up to Manchester.

“The PM has now promised to build the Midlands rail hub which will connect 50 stations. There’s a pledge, but without detail, to extend the West Midlands Metro. It shouldn’t be a choice of one or the other, and I remain sceptical about these latest promises. HS2 was promised 3 times by Conservatives so we will be keeping a very close eye on whether they actually deliver.”