Thanks for watching my video. If you like my videos, please subscribe to the channel to receive the latest videos
Videos can use content-based copyright law contains reasonable use Fair Use (
For any copyright, please send me a message. Northern leaders have welcomed the Prime Minister's vow to build High Speed North - but fear cost-cutting, a missing timetable and the glaring omission of a plan for Piccadilly. During a rousing House of Commons speech on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light for massive rail investment for northern cities - bringing both HS2 and east-west rail links to Greater Manchester and beyond. Mr Johnson said High Speed North would be 'one integrated master plan' to create both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail - routes connecting northern cities - 'as quickly and cost-effectively as possible'. Mr Johnson added: "I am drawing a clear line under the mismanagement of the past – HS2 must be delivered more efficiently and cost-effectively so that communities feel its benefits more quickly, particularly those in the North." He also promised £5bn to improve bus and cycle links outside London, as well as upgrades to local roads. But an independent report into how HS2 should proceed, led by Douglas Oakervee and also published on Tuesday, recommended 'pausing' the northern 2b section of high speed rail for a six-month review. This would, in part, assess 'real opportunities to reduce costs'. While rejecting the word 'pause', Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, told the M.E.N the Government would take time to work with Transport for the North to integrate HS2's northern legs with east-west links. While the Oakervee report gave a completion date of summer 2020 for the new plan, Mr Shapps could not give a timeline for this. While welcoming plans to revolutionise transport, northern leaders fear the devil lies in the missing detail and that the region could be left with a poor quality railway in comparison with the London leg. Also among concerns are the lack of a firm timetable and Mr Johnson's failure to mention in his speech either the plan for an underground station at Piccadilly or the vital addition of platforms 15 and 16 to the existing hub - despite name-checking upgrades to other pinchpoints like Bristol East. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, told the M.E.N he 'warmly welcomed' the integration of HS2 with east-west links, but 'caveats' include the lack of a commitment to redesign Piccadilly for northern links and HS2, a reassurance on the quality of the routes, and a clear timetable. He added: "The timetable is a concern. They sent a very firm timetable for the London to Birmingham route but there was no such timetable for the north. "The Prime Minister came here promising fast-tracking of the Manchester to Leeds route but has never put any detail behind that to say what it actually means. We want a timetable for all of this. On cost-cutti
0 Comments