Major cuts to the body tasked with improving transport in the North risk making the Government’s levelling up agenda “empty rhetoric”, according to some of the region’s most promiment politicians.
Metro mayors Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, Dan Jarvis and Jamie Driscoll say the 40 per cent budget cuts at Transport for the North (TfN) are putting much-needed investment in northern infrastracture at risk.
The Manchester, Liverpool city region, Sheffield city region and North of Tyne mayors have been joined by TUC representatives from the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber in writing to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Their letter comes as anger is growing among Northern business and political leaders over rumoured cutbacks to previously promised upgrades to Northern transport schemes.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said the eastern leg of the HS2 scheme in the North will be built, but doubts have been circulating since the National Infrastructure Commission called for it to be scrapped in favour of more local improvements.
The letter says: “We represent millions of workers, voters and residents across the region who are all relying on investment that will create the functioning, modern transport networks the North so desperately needs, supporting jobs, families and our economy. The cuts you have announced put this crucial agenda at risk.
“The planned 40 per cent cut to TfN’s budget would also mean job losses at the organisation - yet another reduction in good quality jobs in the North.
“This cut threatens the much-needed investment in transport infrastructure and initiatives in the North, and the ability of the North to have a seat at the table. Please keep your promises to the North and let it have a say.
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“Important schemes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and HS2 are only the start of what the North needs to grow and prosper. Instead, the proposed cuts will hold back the modernisation of our network and the improved connections we so urgently need in the North.
“We note that recently the government announced a package of nearly £800m of transport infrastructure investment, but there was almost nothing for the North in this. People in the North will see this as the same old story.
“If the Government persists it will expose its claims of ‘levelling up’ as empty rhetoric.”
As well as the Northern mayors, the letter is signed by Lynn Collins, Beth Farhat, and Bill Adams, TUC regional secretaries in the three Northern regions, plus deputy general secretary Paul Nowak.
Ms Farhat said: “We all want a fast and strong recovery after the pandemic. And we can make it happen if we invest in the upgrade that our Northern economy needs.
“But while the Prime Minister talks about ‘building back’, his Transport Secretary is cutting back. And he’s targeting those cuts on the North.”