As a result of the Prime Minister’s decision to change the approach to HS2, every pound that would have been spent extending HS2, over £36 billion, will be invested into Network North – a new programme of transport improvements that will benefit far more people, in far more places, far quicker.
As part of this the Midlands will now benefit from £9.6 billion of additional investment in strong local and regional connections - both rail and road - including:
- £2.2bn towards a long-term funding settlement for local councils, including an unprecedented uplift for Lincolnshire
- £2.2bn to fix potholes through a long-term road resurfacing fund
- £650m for new roads through a Midlands Road Fund
- £220m to improve bus services and frequency
- Upgraded rail links between Newark and Nottingham
- £350m to improve up to 100 stations
- £100m to develop and rollout contactless and smart ticketing
Gareth said:
“The costs and delays of HS2 were unacceptable, and came at the expense of taxpayers and commuters across the rest of the country, and in our area, who have just as much of a claim to new and improved transport infrastructure as anyone else. The Prime Minister made the right call to change course.”
