Are the Tories out of contact with their Network North venture – vote in our ballot
The authorities has confronted criticism after a social media publish celebrated a £235million funding in London street enhancements, as a part of the ‘Network North’ scheme – and we wish to know what YOU assume.
This comes because the Department of Transport (DfT) introduced on X that the capital’s street enchancment funding was “only possible due to £8.3billion of extra investment”, following the choice to axe the northern leg of HS2. The publish was accompanied by the ‘Network North‘ emblem within the nook, which was designed to enhance transport within the North of England.
It learn: “We’ve confirmed funding for each London borough to ensure millions of road users enjoy smoother and safer journeys. This is only possible due to £8.3 billion of extra investment from redirected HS2 funding, enough to resurface up to 5,000 miles of roads across the country.”
Rishi Sunak introduced in October that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2 was being dropped to avoid wasting £36billion, which might be redirected to smaller transport initiatives within the North and the Midlands – beneath a rebranded Network North. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has slammed the latest announcement, as he stated: “‘Network North’ seems to include everywhere – except the North.”
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin stated: “I know the North isn’t a priority for this govt but seriously…???” The Mayor of Liverpool City Regions Steve Rotheram added merely: “Make it make sense”.
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh stated: “Whilst passengers are facing Christmas chaos on overcrowded, delayed and cancelled trains, it is an extra kick in the teeth that this Government is crowing about cancelling the biggest rail infrastructure investment in the north in a generation. When Rishi Sunak went to Manchester to cancel the northern leg of HS2 he claimed he would ‘join up our great towns and cities in the North and the Midlands’.
“Now he’s promising to restore roads in London as a part of a ‘Network North’, displaying simply how ludicrously out of contact he’s. And this received’t even come near repairing the harm Rishi Sunak has performed to our roads: In the three years since he turned Chancellor he has been personally chargeable for 22 million potholes going unfilled throughout the nation.”
Labour MP Diana Johnson said: “‘Levelling up’ the North by shifting cancelled Northern HS2 funding to… London. They’re having fun – on the North’s expense.” Lib Dem MP Tim Farron added: “Great to see the agricultural northern village of London lastly getting the levelling up funding it deserves…”
Following the government’s recent backlash, we want to know if YOU think they are ‘out of touch’ with the Network North project? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
