Local MP Tom Gordon has criticised the Government for "abandoning the North" in Rachel Reeves’ latest speech.
Reeves promised investment in a large number of projects in the South of England, including the very controversial Heathrow third runway.
The only project promised new funding or support in the North was the potential redevelopment of the area around Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
All the other direct announcements, where they related to new projects, were in the South of England – namely, a third runway for Heathrow, funding for the East-West rail link from Oxford to Cambridge, and funding for a “British Silicon Valley” in that same area.
Other funding for the North focussed on theoretical projects or ideas that have been around for decades, such as electrification of the Bolton-Wigan line, Transpennine route upgrades, and improvement works at Bradford Forster Square.
Of these, only Transpennine route upgrade has seen any work done. Reopening Doncaster Sheffield airport was also floated.
Mr Gordon said:
“The Government is leaving the North behind – yet again.
“We need to see investment across the country, particularly in the North. If the South gets new rail projects, why not the North? Why can’t we reinstate HS2 to Leeds and Manchester, the two parts of HS2 that would have offered higher returns than London to Birmingham?
“Yet again, the Government is abandoning the North. We have a Home Secretary and Chancellor from just down the road in West Yorkshire, and yet they’ve failed to even bother trying to deliver for Yorkshire. Their constituents will be wondering why they voted for them.
“The proposed Northern investment is just the resurrection of old projects that previous governments sat on their hands over. We need bold new projects for the North that make the most of it’s potential, not just obvious minor projects that should have happened decades ago."
He added:
“We also seem to be ignoring environmental concerns. If we want to accommodate more freight and international travel, why can’t we improve rail services to Europe?
"Why can’t we have international rail services from Northern and Scottish cities instead of a new runway?
"Why can’t the investment for a third runway go into Northern airports instead?
"The Government’s plans are foolish, and will, yet again, leave most of the country behind. It’s simply unacceptable.”
Harrogate care home donates £1,000 to charity battling loneliness
Builders unearth medieval well in Ripon city centre
Knaresborough teacher to run London Marathon in aid of Henshaws
Drugs seized and two arrested in Knaresborough
Spiegeltent returns to Harrogate for summer extravaganza
Starbeck festival set to return for third year
Police appeal to locate Harrogate fuel thief
Harrogate MP set to take on London Marathon in aid of colitis charity
Expansion could add £17m to northern economy, says Harrogate Spring Water
New café to open in place of Hoxton North this week
Ripon vintage tractor run to return this weekend
Ladies lunch event raises £25,000 for Yorkshire children's hospice
Yorkshire Baby & Toddler Show Returns
Lightwater Valley officially opens 'epic' new rollercoaster
Three Harrogate boxers scoop medals at international tournament
Harrogate woman's stroke at 37 inspires fundraising drive for vital charity
Harrogate MP calls for bus and rail fares to be slashed
Kittens with rare condition 'thriving' after community donates £1,000
Weather warning for strong winds issued ahead of Easter weekend
North Yorkshire Police to roll out facial recognition technology
