Reports coming out of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester suggest that the HS2 link from Birmingham to Manchester is to be scrapped
According to media reports the decision is expected to be announced by Rishi Sunak when he delivers his conference speech on Wednesday.
The money being freed up by the move is expected to be reallocated to other transport projects in the North
The reports have been denied by No 10, A Downing Street spokesperson said:
“These reports are incorrect. No final decisions have been taken on Phase 2 of HS2.”
Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham said that the people of Manchester being treated as “second class citizens”.
He says he’s been “shut out” of talks and the decision — in Manchester — will be “remembered as the conference as they came here and pulled the plug on us”.
Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said:
“This fiasco shows the Conservatives are too divided and too distracted to take this country forward.
“After weeks of chaos and indecision on the biggest infrastructure project in the country, Rishi Sunak’s relaunch is now coming off the rails.
“This shambolic conference is showcasing precisely why working people cannot afford five more years of the Conservatives.”
