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'We have to see it through': Scrapping HS2 would damage UK's reputation on world stage, Birmingham mayor warns PM
2 October 2023, 18:36 | Updated: 2 October 2023, 18:46
Scrapping HS2 would damage the UK's reputation on the international stage, the Mayor of Birmingham has warned.
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Speaking to LBC's Andrew Marr, Conservative mayor Andy Street said the UK "must see it through" as a "serious G7 country" amid reports the northern leg to Manchester has been scrapped.
“We need the full line from Euston to Manchester for there to be a good national investment," Mr Street said, as he warned there is "no business case" for HS2 to run from Birmingham to Old Oak Common in west London.
He continued: "Therefore, stand back from the bit that is still yet to be planned and say ‘how do we do this at much less cost?’ and we’ve got offers from major companies who have done this in other countries.”
"There is no question that if we do not go ahead with a connectivity from Birmingham to Manchester, it will be a very, very serious blow to Levelling Up," Mr Street added.
Asked what the effect of scrapping HS2 would have on the UK's international credibility, Mr Street said it would "definitely damage it".
"As a serious G7 country, we have to do the difficult stuff well," he said.
Andy Street speaks to Andrew Marr about HS2
The Manchester Mayor told LBC he has been “completely shut out” of discussions on the high speed rail line as he is meeting with ministers today to discuss its future.
No10 today slapped down speculation that the PM is imminently to announce the ditching of the Northern part of the line in a bid to save cash.
Mr Burnham told LBC he was “not aware” he even had a reply from the PM about his request for a meeting last week.
He said the discussions around binning it was “frustrating” and it would have “epic implications for the North if we get left with Victorian rail infrastructure”.
Andy Burnham: Tories are treating Northerners ‘like second class citizens’
“Why is it always people in the North who are treated as second class citizens when it comes to transport investment?”
He urged them not to scrap it, because it would be hugely damaging to other transport links in the North and would deter investment.
Mr Burnham added: “None of it should be scrapped.
“Who has let that cost spiral out of control? I mean, we've had almost 15 years of indecision under this government and chopping and changing the scheme and that has led the cost spiral out of control.
“It's pretty unfair to me that the North of England pay for that mismanagement.”
And he piled pressure on Labour to commit to building the whole thing in full when they meet for their annual gathering in Liverpool next week.
When grilled on whether he wanted to see Sir Keir Starmer make such a promise, he replied: “Of course, I'm not going to say not.
“Obviously, that may need to be looked at in the light of whatever the government announces. I'd be really keen to talk to Keir, and shadow ministers next week.
“Levelling up cannot happen in my view, without that big strategic infrastructure.”
