Network North - Analysing the redirection of HS2 funds
Network North is the latest shambolic token project of the government, but is there anything good to find in these proposals?
In the midst of the HS2 debacle, the government has released the shiny new plan called Network North. Redistributing the funds “saved” from the cancelation of the 2nd leg of HS2 and putting it into UK wide transport projects.
Yes, you read that correctly, the project called Network NORTH is funding projects that have nothing to do with the North of England. Yet another two-fingers up from the government to the north.
The analysis of the plans1 that have already been done to death, looking into the proposals of projects that have funding assigned to them or have already been completed, such as the Metrolink to Manchester Airport which was put into service nearly 10 years ago2 .
But let’s give the government the benefit of the doubt, is there anything good coming out of this proposal? Is there a diamond in the rough of inaccurate maps and already completed projects. As I write this, I have no idea so it will be interesting to see what I find!
Obviously the government looked at the inaugural Transportation Talks article the day before the announcement3 as the £2 bus fare, that I thought would be a good idea to continue, is being extended until the end of 2024. As I said in that article although welcome, this socialises the losses of private corporations to the tax payer.
An extra £100 million will be put in for a contactless ticketing system in the North and Midlands. This is something that has been in the works for a few years from the Connected North East plan4 . Again, this is another welcome addition to the north but was firstly, already underway and, secondly, something that should be a ubiquitous feature across all authorities across the country.
Another great addition, is the improvement of accessibility of train stations, spending a further £350 million for up to 100 stations. The caveat of this is that it is funded through existing budgets so, unless I am missing something, it seems like that this is just padding.
Finally, the funding of a mass transit system for West Yorkshire, centring on Leeds. This is the largest place in Western Europe without a light rail or metro system. This seems to be announced yet again however as this was considered a consolation prize for the cancellation of the Leeds leg of HS2 in 2021.
Although there are many good things listed in this plan, the government have now confirmed that these were all “illustrative” projects5 despite using phrases like “we will” and “we are”. This means that the Tories are absolved of all responsibility no matter what happens so any analysis on this is needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
In conclusion, the Tories are in a holding pattern trying to release a big transport plan that doesn’t touch the sides of the backbone of the rail system that HS2 would have been. It also focuses too much on roads and cars to appease the motorist instead of trying to induce demand into public transportation.
This is a rehashing of old projects and plans that have been put on hold or teased previously, many ideas being from the responsible local authorities and not given the full go ahead in the name of austerity. Many of these projects are just trying to make up the transport infrastructure deficit that the UK has and not a push into the future. This dying government has spluttered out another ill thought out short-termist vision for car driver Britain.
Network North: transforming British transport (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Government pledges to extend Metrolink line to Manchester Airport... where it already exists - Manchester Evening News
HS2 - Can the UK be taken as a serious global player? (substack.com)
AST003-Reimagining-Mobility-and-Connectivity-in-the-North-East-blueprint-A4-FINAL-SCREEN.pdf (transportnortheast.gov.uk)
Rishi Sunak admits list of HS2 replacement projects just ‘illustrative’ and not pledges | The Independent
It’s a shame, was looking forward to the prospects of a high speed system that could really connect the country even more.