Leading business organisations have criticised the Government's decision to scrap the northern leg of HS2, despite its promises to divert £36bn into new transport in the Midlands and north of England.

High-Speed Rail Group, which represents rail and engineering firms, described the move as the "biggest and most damaging U-turn in the history of UK infrastructure".

The replacement scheme, "Network North", includes schemes already in progress or where funding was expected, alongside previously paused or cancelled projects.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the "facts have changed", and it was time to ditch the high-speed rail project between Birmingham and Manchester in the face of increasing costs.

He confirmed that, contrary to some ongoing fears, the HS2 line would still continue into central London, ending at a scaled-down Euston station.

Commenting on the decision, Chris Fletcher, greater Manchester chamber director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

"HS2 was a major investment opportunity for the UK that would unburden a worn-out network already over capacity, boost the country's net zero ambitions and open up labour markets and job opportunities...

"Whilst this may sound like a better use of the money with new lines promised, we are still no nearer getting the transport network that we actually needed years ago to unlock the north's potential."

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