HS2 Phase 2 money reinvested in bus and other local transport

Some of the money set for the now cancelled second leg of HS2 is to be reinvested into buses.

Rather than delivering HS2 Phase 2 new line between Birmingham and Manchester, the Prime Minister has unveiled plans to transform what he describes as transport modes that people use the most. Described as the cornerstone of the plan, the new Network North project is expected to drive better connectivity across England’s north and midlands with faster journey times, increased capacity and more frequent, reliable services across rail, buses and roads. £36 billion will be invested in hundreds of transport projects across the country, in addition to a further £12 billion set aside for faster connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester.

The investment includes £700 million for buses for the North and Midlands. It also sees the £2 fare car remain in place until next year.

“This is not job done…Passengers in the north, south, east and west of the country deserve further government investment…” – Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport

Responding to the news, Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We welcome the long overdue funding package for bus services in the north and Midlands of England. The investment shows a recognition of the value of buses to the economy and, building on operators’ own innovation and investment, has the potential to grow the network substantially.

“Operators will now study the detail of the government’s proposals and work with local authority partners to make it a success, and ensure it delivers the improvements that passengers want.

“This is not job done. The National Bus Strategy highlighted the potential to improve bus networks across the whole country. Passengers in the north, south, east and west of the country deserve further government investment to unlock the full economic, net zero and social wellbeing potential of buses.”

The government is to reinvest £19.8 billion in the North, including: 

• £2 billion for a new station at Bradford and a new connection to Manchester;
• £2.5 billion to deliver a new mass transit system in West Yorkshire;
• £3 billion for upgraded and electrified lines between Manchester and Sheffield, Sheffield and Leeds, Sheffield and Hull, and Hull-Leeds;
• Nearly £4 billion more funding for local transport in the North’s six city regions;
• A new £2.5 billion fund for local transport across all areas in the North outside the six city regions;
• A new £3.3 billion fund for road resurfacing.
• Investments in roads, reopened train lines and new stations;

The government is also to invest a further £12 billion to better connect Manchester to Liverpool.

The government is to reinvest £9.6 billion in the Midlands:

• Funding the Midlands Rail Hub in full with £1.75 billion, connecting 50 stations and over 7 million people – doubling capacity and frequency;
• Over £1.5 billion guaranteed local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor;
• Over £1 billion extra local transport funding for West Midlands City Region;
• A new £2.2 billion fund for local transport across all areas in the West and East Midlands outside the city regions;
• Reopened train lines and new stations such as the Ivanhoe Line;
• The development of Midlands road schemes to benefit businesses and their employees at Rolls Royce, Toyota, and Magna Park, generating over £12 billion for the local economy.

There will also be £6.5 billion for the rest of the country:

• Rail improvements in the Southwest;
• Keeping the £2 bus fare until the end of December 2024;
• Ensuring the delivery of road schemes;
• Transforming Ely Junction; and billions to fix potholes on the country’s roads;

Greater connectivity for both Scotland and Wales with improvements to the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer, and £1 billion to fund the electrification of the North Wales Main Line.