Wakefield Council welcomes report criticising plans for 'disruptive' HS2

In a report released last week, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) said the government should focus on upgrading existing infrastructure rather than new projects, noting that "rail journeys between major cities in the Midlands and the North can be slow, and the service unreliable."

Prioritising regional links is likely to deliver more economic benefit to the North than new lines such as HS2, which would pass through Wakefield with a station in Leeds, the report said.

Researchers also suggested that a survey of 3,000 members of the public had shows that people were "doubtful that new lines would or could be delivered."

Wakefield Council has previously criticised plans for the new high speed service, and called for the money to be invested in other transport initiatives.

In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this year, Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery made a case for improving commuter links within the Leeds City Region and between other northern regions like Manchester and Liverpool.

Responding to the NIC report, Coun Jeffery said: "We are pleased that this report supports our position that more money in regional rail is needed. We strongly believe that focusing investment in our local rail network is a much more effective, and a less disruptive, option to support levelling up and growth in the North than HS2.

"Our residents deserve a transport network that works for them and HS2 is not the best use of major funding infrastructure for our region. It would have a significant adverse environmental impact and does not address key issues – such as the need for more investment in local rail commuter routes and improved bus services.

"In light of the findings from today's report, we once again urge the Government to seriously reconsider their HS2 plans and increase investment to connect all places across Yorkshire and the north."

Campaigners in the district last month celebrated after receiving word that the eastern leg of HS2, which would pass through the Wakefield district, was "close to dead and buried".