Rishi Sunak will slam decades of politicians 'making the easy decision, not the right one' as he 'confirms HS2 to Manchester will be scrapped'
03.10.2023 - 21:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Rishi Sunak - widely expected to announce the axing of the Manchester leg of HS2 - will criticise decades of politicians making 'the easy decision, not the right one' when he takes to the stage at the Conservative Party Conference in the heart of the city.
It is predicted he will announce a package of transport measures - to improve roads, buses and trains - reportedly worth £30bn to soften the blow tomorrow (Wednesday, October 4). The big spending promise is unlikely to placate bitterly disappointed northerners.
The Prime Minister will rail against post-Thatcher politics for focusing on quick fixes. He will attempt to portray himself as a radical reformer prepared to abandon the northern leg of HS2.
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It comes amid reports this evening the northern leg WILL be scrapped. The HS2 line will stop at Birmingham, where trains will continue to Manchester on the existing West Coast Mainline track, according to Sky News and the BBC. It has been reported that the line will start in central London at Euston, rather than Old Oak Common, but between Birmingham and Manchester, trains will not be high-speed.
Reacting to those reports, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham tweeted: "So, in other words, HS2 won't go to Manchester and people in the North will be treated as second-class citizens - again? What a disgrace."
The bumper transport spending plan will be announced by the PM in a bid to sweeten the bill, according to reports. It comes amid a furious backlash to rumours swirling around the conference centre in recent days.
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