Reform pledges to scrap Northern Powerhouse Rail

A Reform UK government would scrap new high-speed rail schemes expected to be announced by ministers within weeks, the party's deputy leader said.

- NEIL LANCEFIELD

Richard Tice told companies considering bidding for contracts to build Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) they should “not bother” as the party would “spend the money instead on things the country needs more”.

NPR is a proposal to boost east-west rail connections across northern England.

Labour is expected to make a commitment to NPR in the coming weeks.

Mr Tice made his comments in a foreword to a report by the centre-right think tank Policy Exchange. The document predicted NPR would be an “even greater train crash” than HS2, as a new line between Liverpool and Manchester could cost £30bn.

Researchers warned journeys between the cities on this line would take one minute longer than the quickest current services — which are 34 minutes — because the new line would serve Manchester airport.