Two candidates in the race to become the next Tory leader have confirmed they will continue building the HS2 high speed rail line if they win the right to become Prime Minister.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he would "back and deliver HS2" as well as Northern Powerhouse Rail, another planned new rail line.
And Bromsgrove MP and Home Secretary Sajid Javid claimed he was "100 per cent committed to delivering" HS2 and also backed Northern Powerhouse Rail.
The declarations follow a warning last week from Minister Liz Truss that the Treasury was looking at whether HS2 should go ahead.
Ms Truss told a House of Lords inquiry the Treasury was examining whether the planned high-speed line could be delivered within its £56 billion budget and the next Prime Minister would decide whether to prioritise other projects instead.
Ten Conservative MPs are currently standing to replace Theresa May as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister with some, such as former London Mayor Boris Johnson, previously expressing opposition to HS2.
Phase one of HS2 will run between Birmingham and London and is due for completion in 2026 while a second phase, serving the East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire is set to become operational in 2033.
Council leaders and mayors in the North of England have drawn up plans for an extension to HS2, known as Northern Powerhouse rail, which would include a new line across the Pennines connecting Leeds and Manchester, as well as services to Liverpool and Newcastle.
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Mr Hunt said: "As an entrepreneur, I want to fire up the British economy and make us the best place in Europe to do business.
"We can only do that if we turbo charge economic growth right across the country.
"So, as well as cutting corporation tax to 12.5 per cent and increasing the annual investment allowance to £5 million, I will back and deliver HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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"Connecting the great cities of the north is crucial so that the original vision for the Northern Powerhouse, to create a single joined up market and labour force, becomes a reality.
"It's also essential for rebalancing the economy so that it delivers for every one of us."
And Mr Javid said he backed HS2 as part of a plan to "reinvigorate" the Midlands Engine, the Government project to boost the economy in the West Midlands and East Midlands, partly by improving transport links between the two areas.
He also backed "HS3", an alternative name sometimes used for the Northern Powerhouse project.
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Mr Javid said: "I want to promise you that, as Prime Minister, I’ll reinvigorate the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine, and supercharge growth outside of the capital.
"I'll never be ashamed of London’s success but as somebody born in the north, an MP for a Midlands seat and who grew up in the South West, I get it.
"I've already announced a £100 billion National Infrastructure Fund, an expert group based outside of London.
"One of that group's first two tasks, alongside a national fibre optic network, will be to work with local authorities, mayors and others across the north to massively improve east-west connections.
"With record low Government interest rates, it's madness that we haven't done more to take advantage and rebalance our economy.
"That'll be tied to HS2, which I am 100 per cent committed to delivering.
"I would also back another HS3 route linking our great cities of the North, from Liverpool to Manchester, Leeds to Newcastle."