Liberal Democrats Demand Funding for York’s Long-Overdue Transport Priorities

York Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to honour its promise and deliver the full allocation of transport funding owed to York and North Yorkshire following the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2. The call comes ahead of a speech today by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP, which could decide the future of key infrastructure projects in the region.

The scrapping of HS2’s northern section was supposed to come with a guarantee that the money saved would be redirected into local transport priorities. However, York is still waiting for the funding it was promised.

Lib Dem Transport spokesperson, Councillor Stephen Fenton, said: 

“We have seen dither and delay both locally and nationally on critical transport schemes that matter to residents and businesses alike. Projects like the York Outer Ring Road dualling and the long-promised Haxby Station have been left in limbo while construction costs rise and public confidence erodes.

“If, as expected, the Government announces that the former HS2 funds will be devolved to regional Mayors, then York and North Yorkshire’s Mayor, David Skaith, must act without hesitation. He will have all the resources he needs at his disposal to deliver these long awaited upgrades and also provide much-needed investment in walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and public transport improvements.

“It’s time for Mayor Skaith and York’s Labour’s Council to start delivering. Every day of inaction has driven up costs due to inflation and has weakened the Council’s original ambitions. Enough is enough, it’s time to start delivering.”