Reform UK would immediately cancel all high-speed rail schemes for northern England if it gains power, party chairman Richard Tice has declared, in a dramatic shift from current government transport policy.
In a bold move that puts the party on a collision course with northern leaders and business groups, Tice confirmed a Reform government would scrap both the remaining northern leg of HS2 and the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project.
Roads Over Rails: A New Transport Priority
Instead of investing billions in high-speed rail, Tice outlined an alternative vision focused on road improvements and local rail enhancements. The party's "better value" plan includes:
- Building two new road tunnels under the Pennines to improve east-west connectivity
- Electrifying existing railway lines across the north
- Opening new railway stations in underserved communities
- Repairing and upgrading northern roads
Tice argued that these measures would deliver more immediate benefits to northern communities at a fraction of the cost of high-speed rail projects.
Questioning the Economic Case
The Reform chairman was scathing in his assessment of current high-speed rail plans, describing them as "ludicrous" and questioning their economic viability. He pointed to the original HS2 budget of £37 billion that has since ballooned to over £100 billion as evidence of poor fiscal management.
"The numbers have never, ever stacked up," Tice stated, suggesting the massive investment would primarily benefit London rather than northern communities.
Political Reactions and Northern Backlash
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from northern political and business leaders who have long advocated for improved rail infrastructure. Many see high-speed connections as essential for rebalancing the UK economy and addressing the north-south divide.
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, condemned the proposal as "economically illiterate," warning it would consign the north to "second-class infrastructure for generations to come."
The policy position establishes clear blue water between Reform UK and the major parties on infrastructure spending, setting the stage for transport to become a key election battleground in northern constituencies.
