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.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Erase Assistant Team Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 - £41,771
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for teenagers at risk of exploitation, missing episodes and harm outside the home?   Durham Children's Ser Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Active Travel Connectivity Officer

Durham County Council
Career Graded 8 - 10 - G8 £32,597 - £36,363 / G9 £35,412 - £39,152 / G10 £38,220 - £41,771
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Active Travel Connectivity Officer within our Sustainable Travel and Advertising Team, supporting the delive Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Headteacher

Durham County Council
£75,049- £86,803
Permanent Contract, Full Time Required to start January 2027. N.O.R. 349 (including Nursery)   Are you an exciting, dynamic and outstanding leader wit Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Executive Director for Place

Wokingham Borough Council
£148,609 per annum, plus benefits
As our Executive Director for Place, you will lead an outward looking and forward-thinking place-shaping agenda. Wokingham, Berkshire
Recuriter: Wokingham Borough Council

Service Director

South Gloucestershire Council
£100,289 to £109,445 per annum
South Gloucestershire is changing things for good. Gloucestershire
Recuriter: South Gloucestershire Council
Linkedin Banner