Political leaders to fight '˜betrayal of the North' after Government announced plans to scale back funding

POLITICAL LEADERS in the North of England are pledging to fight for a fair deal on transport funding after the Government scaled back plans to invest in the region while backing billions more for the capital.
A train heading to London from Sheffield train station. The Midland Mainline is the only North-South rail route that is not electrifiedA train heading to London from Sheffield train station. The Midland Mainline is the only North-South rail route that is not electrified
A train heading to London from Sheffield train station. The Midland Mainline is the only North-South rail route that is not electrified

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling sparked anger this week by renewing his support for London’s £30bn Crossrail 2 scheme just days after a series of rail projects in Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire were axed or downgraded.

The decision has been described as a betrayal of the North, with Labour warning it would put efforts to tackle economic inequalities between the regions “at risk”. Campaigners have responded with a call to action, launching a petition demanding an “immediate” commitment to a Crossrail for the North and a further cash injection of £59bn.

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In a joint statement, leaders in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle said Mr Grayling’s statements had created “considerable uncertainty” and raised fears about the future of the “Northern Powerhouse” and the Government’s aim of rebalancing the UK economy.

The statement said: “If the Government can’t be trusted to stick to promises already given, then it is hard to have confidence that they will deliver longer-term agreements made to the north.

“The Government urgently needs to clarify its position on both short-term and long-term commitments to the north and confirm if it remains committed to the Northern Powerhouse and Transport for the North.”

The political figures, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, said they plan to convene a summit for northern political and business leaders in late August, before the return of Parliament.

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The statement said: “We call on the Government to return to working constructively with us to correct long-term imbalances in transport funding and to give the people of the north the rail services they deserve and have been promised.”

Ed Cox, director of the think-tank IPPR North, which started the petition, described the decision to prioritise Crossrail 2 ahead of backing the Northern Powerhouse rail programme as “rubbing salt into the wounds”.

“We are going to be calling for the Transport Secretary to pledge backing for Crossrail for the North,” he said. “Over the past decade we have spent £59bn more in London than in the North of England so over the next decade there’s £59bn catch-up cash that should be devolved to transport for the North.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) has insisted money for the North was not being cut, despite shelving plans to electrify the Midlands mainline to Sheffield and limiting electrification on the trans-Pennine line. They have pointed to plans to roll out “bi-mode” trains in these areas, which run on diesel and electricity, as an alternative to carrying out “disruptive” electrification work.

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However, critics say electric trains are faster, cleaner and greener. Others have pointed out that bi-modal trains have been around for many years, leading them to question the real reason behind the change of plans.

A DfT spokesperson said the Government was investing more than £1bn in rail across the North and £800m on new road schemes in the North West, and no public money has been committed yet to Crossrail 2.

Yesterday IPPR North said the region would have received £59bn more infrastructure investment over the last decade if it had got the same per person as London.

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