Today (18 November) the government published their long-awaited integrated Rail Plan, which will consider the best way to develop and deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 and other major rail projects.

In response to the publication of this report, Louise said:

“This report was more than 12 months overdue, and it definitely was not worth the wait. The Prime Minister has once again shown people across the North of England that they do not matter to him or his government.

“When he was elected Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said he wanted Northern Powerhouse Rail to do for the North what Crossrail did for London. This is another in a long line of broken promises by this Prime Minister to the people of the North.

“If they had invested at the same rate as they have in London and the South East, we would have over £60bn in investment.

“Growth and jobs are being held back here because we are not well connected with other cities. It is utterly ridiculous that the fourth largest city in the UK does not have a direct connection to an airport.

“The Prime Minister is forcing us to continue rely on creaking Victorian infrastructure.

“People across the North deserve more; our communities deserve more. These plans will actively hold back investment and opportunities that could benefit millions of people.”