A senior Labour party figure would not commit to completing HS2 when asked about the controversial project over the weekend
Andy Burnham has said Labour will bring HS2 to Manchester despite the party failing to guarantee that the high-speed railway project will go ahead over the weekend. The Greater Manchester mayor said he has been reassured that the party's commitment to two major northern railway projects has not changed.
However, speaking to the media this morning , Mr Burnham said his party is still committed to delivering HS2 and the new east-to-west Northern Powerhouse Rail project in full. He said: "As I understand it, there is no change in Labour policy – I've had that confirmed."The commitment is still to HS2 and to full Northern Powerhouse Rail. I'm not aware of a change of policy. That's been confirmed to me in the last 24 hours.
He said that local leaders would 'only accept' a new line that stops at Bradford and continues to Leeds with an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly. The government's current plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail would only create a new line from Manchester to Marsden and upgrade existing lines.
He said: "We note the Labour leader remains committed and their willingness to still make the case for the need for it, whilst challenging the record of the government on delivery. Politics is important, but the country and its long-term interests should come first."
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