Now HS2 backers must convince Boris Johnson about high-speed rail – The Yorkshire Post says

HS2 has no ‘Plan B’ and can narrow North-South divide, Boris Johnson warned

This political failure has simply emboldened opponents – and particularly opportunists like Boris Johnson who says that he will order an immediate review into the scheme’s viability if, as expected, he becomes Prime Minister.

Power Up The North must not depend on Boris Johnson’s HS2 and Brexit mystery tour – Tom Richmond

The Tory leadership contender clearly has the ear of voters in his marginal West London constituency who are opposed to the new line because it will pass close to their homes.

HS2 is in the national interest and is not a vanity project – Yorkshire Post letters

Yet, if Mr Johnson does, in fact, succeed Mrs May, he will be expected to govern on behalf of the whole country and this means the long-term national interest taking precedence over short-term political and electoral calculations.

This is how HS2 can smash North-South divide and Power Up The North – Jim Steer

This is made clear by High Speed Rail Industry Leaders who today warn that there is “no plan B” if capacity is ever to be increased on the country’s creaking rail network. Noting how punctuality targets are having to be scaled back because commuter lines are so suggest, this report makes the most cogent case yet for HS2 and reveals how its benefits will extend far beyond the key locations which are due to be served by this state-of-the-art railway.

HS2 will benefit North and regions more than London, says news report

And it also explains how demand for long-distance travel is likely to grow and that the cost of HS2 amounts to “less than 0.4 per cent of total public spending in the period ahead”. Pointing out how HS2 is ready to be advanced while Northern Powerhouse Rail is still in the planning stage, it is a convincing case that Mr Johnson needs to consider carefully if he is serious about the country which gave the railways to the world having services that are belatedly fit for the 21st century.