Mayor of West Yorkshire's reaction to the Prime Ministers speech at the Conservative Party Conference

“Over the past week, rumours and speculation have been rife about the future of transport in West Yorkshire and the North. Today, we looked forward to hearing the Prime Minister put those rumours to bed and finally commit to delivering the integrated transport system and infrastructure that the North deserves and needs.  

“Sadly, what we got was more rhetoric veiled under the slogan of “Build Back Better” and another promise of ‘Levelling Up’.

“In the Spending Review later this month, the time for rhetoric will be over. We need decisions. We need detail about the Government’s plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail. We need its delivery in full, with a stop in Bradford.

“We need HS2 East and new electrified lines across the Pennines.  

“We agree that Leeds and West Yorkshire needs a mass transit system, and we continue to make the case to Government about how we can work together to deliver this.

“I also agree with the Prime Minister that there is a wealth of talent right across the country, but not a wealth of opportunity. Proper investment and a 21^st century rail system would give us all of that, connecting our talent to more jobs, better opportunities and brighter futures.

“That is what ‘Levelling Up’ means to us.”