Response to media reports on the Oakervee Review

20 January 2020

Responding to media reports on the Oakervee Review, Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Lead, said:

“It is time to bring the damaging speculation around HS2 to an end with the prompt publication of the Oakervee Review and an unambiguous Government commitment to deliver the project in full. Anything less, including downgrading HS2 north of Birmingham, would seriously damage this Government’s claim to be levelling-up the North and Midlands.

“After decades of underinvestment in strategic rail infrastructure, HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail integrated together represent a once-in-a-generation chance to transform connectivity, attract investment, boost skills and opportunity and level-up communities across the North.

“Transforming rail capacity and connectivity in the North and Midlands will create economic growth, improve productivity, boost jobs and skills, increase prosperity and support a transition to a low-carbon economy.”