Northern leaders still don’t have the detail behind government’s cut-price rail plan

25.01.2022 - 01:05 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Government has so far failed to explain the detailed reasoning behind its decision to scale back long-promised plans for Northern high-speed rail links, two months after its Integrated Rail Plan was published.

When the IRP was published on November 18 it prompted outrage across the North of England, particularly in Yorkshire, after it emerged that the original proposal for a new line between Manchester and Leeds had been significantly reduced amid a halving of the proposed network’s budget.

Hull was left off the high-speed map, while the eastern leg of HS2 was axed. Manchester’s request for an underground station at Piccadilly, in order to avoid huge swathes of prime city centre land being taken up and rail lines running out over Ardwick on stilts, was dismissed as too expensive and unnecessary.

READ MORE: HS2 Manchester will 'define the north for centuries' if correct railway station built, says Andy Burnham

A paper drawn up by officials at Transport for the North, due to be considered by northern leaders at a meeting in Manchester tomorrow, now reveals that ministers have failed to explain the detailed reasoning behind those decisions.

It means northern leaders and transport experts cannot assess the plan in further depth - or tell whether the Treasury has genuinely shifted its approach to funding projects outside of London and the South East.

“The evidence base behind the IRP remains unpublished, despite requests from both members and officers,” says the paper.

“Without further information, TfN officers remain unable to determine how key decisions have been reached or if the approach outlined in the new Treasury green book has been followed.”

TfN’s request for a meeting with Grant Shapps, the transport

See showbiz news on manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Jurgen Klopp laughs at Man City question and admits Liverpool FC can't catch Premier League leaders

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are not in a position to make Manchester City nervous in the Premier League title race just yet.

Northern leaders still don’t have the detail behind government’s cut-price rail plan

Jurgen Klopp laughs at Man City question and admits Liverpool FC can't catch Premier League leaders

National terror threat level is downgraded - but an attack is still considered 'likely'

Pep Guardiola says Gabriel Jesus is 'best in the world' for Man City style

Mum of tragic Zakari Bennet-Eko killed by his own dad speaks on her 'beautiful baby boy'

Energy bill price cap will be 'the death of some care homes' in Greater Manchester, care manager warns

'Drugs, all-night parties and violence': The Salford park treated like a 'nightclub' which became the scene of an 'avoidable' tragedy

GMP received 1,600 applications for Clare's Law last year... but many domestic abuse victims still don't know it exists

Free agents Manchester United and Man City could still sign right now

Real Madrid hand boost to Man City in Erling Haaland race and more transfer rumours

'I felt physically sick when I heard about it': Park targeted by 'arsonists' again

Disgust as graffiti scrawled on Northern Quarter war memorial

Nadiya Bychkova STILL with engagement ring after Kai Widdrington kiss

Moss Side favourite Wray’s Cafe Bar to set up its ‘shack’ food truck outside Alexandra Park

He dislocated an officer's shoulder, spat at them and then tried to steal their taser... man, 23, jailed for assaulting FOUR cops at Victoria station

ITV Coronation Street: Real life of Eileen Grimshaw actress Sue Cleaver - co-star ex, second career and sepsis scare

'Playing with people's lives' - Northern transport body's 120 staff face uncertain future as Government 'winds down' funding

Six cut-price players Man City could target during next summer transfer window

Popular Celebrities