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Nov 2021

Last Updated: 16/11/2021

Transport

Harrogate MP silent after saying scrapping HS2 would 'betray the north'

by Connor Creaghan

| 16 Nov, 2021

The ex-rail minister previously said it would be a 'betrayal of the north' if the Birmingham to Leeds HS2 extension was not built. However, Andrew Jones has remained silent so far on the expected scrapping of the plans.

A collage of an artist's impression of HS2 and Andrew Jones MP at a recent Transport for the North conference.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has so far remained silent on the expected scrapping of plans to extend the HS2 line from Birmingham to Leeds.

The former rail minister has been a vocal advocate of the project. In February 2019, he said that it would be a "betrayal of the north" if it did not go ahead.

However, government sources briefed national media outlets over the weekend about the decision ahead of an expected announcement on Thursday.

Just two months ago Mr Jones reiterated his support for HS2 at the annual Transport for the North conference in Leeds. He said:

"I hope that we do not see any compromise on our desire for big investment in our infrastructure. We have failed spectacularly to invest enough in our infrastructure.

"This has meant it is now too expensive and too difficult to move people and goods around the country. So I do not support the argument that we need to abandon longer term infrastructure investment."

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At a previous Transport for the North conference in February 2019, Mr Jones went further and criticised media outlets for reporting speculation over the future of the HS2 Birmingham to Leeds line.

https://youtu.be/qgvXqFnHXuw?t=1783

"We have all probably seen some media reports claiming that the northern stages of HS2 might not be built. They are nonsense.

"HS2 was conceived, developed and is now being delivered as a national railway. But in particular to improve links for our area.

"So our commitment to the full network of HS2 is undiminished. To cancel anything would be a betrayal of the north."

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones for his thoughts this morning. However, he did not reply to our request for comment by the time of publication.

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Harrogate MP silent after saying scrapping HS2 would 'betray the north'

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