Plans to cut off the North from HS2 will condemn millions of travellers to continued travel misery, critics argue.

The decision to halt the HS2 rail extension north of Birmingham has been described as a “national disgrace” by critics, with many arguing that it will cause long-term travel misery for tens of millions of people across the UK. The controversial move has reignited debates about the government’s commitment to regional equality and investment in infrastructure outside of London and the South East.

The HS2 project, initially designed to connect London with the North of England through high-speed rail, has faced numerous setbacks and cost overruns since its inception. However, the proposed extension northward, which was to link Birmingham to cities such as Manchester and Leeds, was seen as a critical step towards reducing travel times and improving connectivity for communities outside the capital.

With the recent announcement to cancel the northern extension, critics argue that the decision will disproportionately affect people living in the North, leaving them with outdated and unreliable transport systems. “Cutting off the North from HS2 is a betrayal of the millions of people who were promised better, faster, and more reliable rail services,” said [name], a spokesperson for the campaign group [name]. “Instead of uniting the country, this move will only deepen the regional divide and condemn millions to a life sentence of travel misery.”

Many business leaders, local politicians, and transport experts have expressed their dismay at the government’s decision. The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which advocates for greater investment in the North, warned that the cancellation would undermine efforts to drive economic growth and development in the region. “HS2 was seen as a game-changer for the North, and this U-turn is a huge setback,” said [name], chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. “It’s not just about faster trains; it’s about boosting economic opportunities, creating jobs, and providing better access to education and healthcare for communities that have long been left behind.”

The government, however, has defended its decision, arguing that it will redirect resources towards other transport infrastructure projects and localised improvements. Ministers have said that they remain committed to improving connectivity in the North, but the decision to scrap the HS2 extension has not quelled the growing dissatisfaction in the region.

For many Northern residents, the cancellation of the HS2 extension feels like yet another broken promise from Westminster. “We’ve heard the rhetoric for years about ‘levelling up,’ but this feels like a punch in the gut,” said [name], a commuter from Manchester. “We’ve been promised better transport links for decades, and now it seems like we’re being left behind again.”

The controversy surrounding HS2’s future is likely to continue to dominate the political landscape, with the issue of regional inequality and infrastructure investment remaining at the forefront of public debate. The decision to cancel the northern extension has reignited calls for a more equitable approach to transport policy, with many urging the government to reconsider its stance and invest in projects that will truly benefit the whole country.