Labour to force vote on UK Government’s recent HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail changes

Labour says it will force a vote in the House of Commons today over what it calls the North’s “rail betrayal”.

It is hoping to reverse decisions on the Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 Eastern Leg projects, and will use an opposition day debate to make its demand.

There was anger from many when the Integrated Rail Plan altered Northern Powerhouse Rail – in a move Labour calls a downgrade – and HS2’s Eastern Leg was scrapped in favour of infrastructure upgrades on 18 November.

In a statement, Labour said that the “scrapping of the HS2 Eastern Leg will have a devastating effect on connectivity and connection times.”

Shadow secretary of state for transport, Louise Haigh MP said: “Northern communities are, once again, paying the price for broken Tory promises on rail.

“This great rail betrayal will hit millions of people, and leave the north in the slow lane for decades to come.

“Promises made must be kept, and today Labour will stand up for our communities and demand they deliver the northern rail investment promised by the Prime Minister.” 

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