Response to the Government's publication of a study which will explore options for HS2

In response to the Government's publication of a study which will explore options for the most effective way to bring high-speed rail to Yorkshire.

The Mayors of West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire have released a joint statement in response to the Government's publication of a study which will explore options for the most effective way to bring high-speed rail to Yorkshire.

In a joint statement, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said:

“It’s frustrating that we’ve had to wait over 18 months for the details of this study into bringing high-speed rail to Yorkshire – and now we face another two years’ wait for the report’s findings.

“These proposals don’t go far enough and the Government is missing a vital opportunity to provide the modern rail service passengers deserve.

“Delivering high-speed rail between Leeds and Sheffield is critical to our ambitious plans, working with local authority leaders, to boost economic growth across Yorkshire, the wider North and the rest of the country.

“We are extremely concerned by a proposal to connect London to Leeds via Manchester – this will not deliver the connectivity and capacity we were promised. 

“We will continue to call for fairer investment to genuinely level up across the North and secure the improved connectivity our cities, towns and communities need. This is a once in a lifetime investment and we need to get this right.”