William Eichler 21 December 2023

Dismay as HS2 funds rerouted to fix potholes in London

Dismay as HS2 funds rerouted to fix potholes in London image
Image: O de R / Shutterstock.com.

The Government’s decision to redirect HS2 funding to fix potholes in London under the Network North plan has been strongly criticised by Northern leaders.

The Government yesterday confirmed allocations for a £235m funding pot aimed at fixing London’s pothole-strewn roads.

The decision to use the rerouted HS2 funds to patch up the capital’s ailing road system has been widely criticised as contrary to the spirit of the levelling up agenda.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham tweeted: ‘“Network North” seems to include everywhere – except the North.’

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin also responded along the same lines on X/Twitter: ‘I know the North isn’t a priority for this govt but seriously…???’

A Department for Transport spokesperson said the Government had said all along that money saved from the scrapping of HS2 would be spent across the country.

If this article was of interest, then check out our feature, 'The great pothole repair failure' by Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) chair Rick Green.

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