The government has faced criticism after a social media post celebrated a £235million investment in London road improvements, as part of the 'Network North' scheme - and we want to know what YOU think.
This comes as the Department of Transport (DfT) announced on X that the capital’s road improvement funding was "only possible due to £8.3billion of extra investment", following the decision to axe the northern leg of HS2. The post was accompanied by the 'Network North' logo in the corner, which was designed to improve transport in the North of England.
It read: "We've confirmed funding for each London borough to ensure millions of road users enjoy smoother and safer journeys. This is only possible due to £8.3 billion of extra investment from redirected HS2 funding, enough to resurface up to 5,000 miles of roads across the country."
Rishi Sunak announced in October that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2 was being dropped to save £36billion, which would be redirected to smaller transport projects in the North and the Midlands - under a rebranded Network North. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has slammed the recent announcement, as he said: "'Network North' seems to include everywhere - except the North."
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: "I know the North isn’t a priority for this govt but seriously…???" The Mayor of Liverpool City Regions Steve Rotheram added simply: "Make it make sense".
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh said: "Whilst passengers are facing Christmas chaos on overcrowded, delayed and cancelled trains, it is an extra kick in the teeth that this Government is crowing about cancelling the biggest rail infrastructure investment in the north in a generation. When Rishi Sunak went to Manchester to cancel the northern leg of HS2 he claimed he would ‘join up our great towns and cities in the North and the Midlands’.
"Now he is promising to repair roads in London as part of a 'Network North', showing just how ludicrously out of touch he is. And this won’t even come close to repairing the damage Rishi Sunak has done to our roads: In the three years since he became Chancellor he has been personally responsible for 22 million potholes going unfilled across the country."
Labour MP Diana Johnson said: "‘Levelling up’ the North by moving cancelled Northern HS2 investment to… London. They’re having a laugh - at the North’s expense." Lib Dem MP Tim Farron added: "Great to see the rural northern village of London finally getting the levelling up funding it deserves..."
Following the government’s recent backlash, we want to know if YOU think they are 'out of touch' with the Network North project? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.