Chancellor 'understands' high-speed rail cynicism

The Northern Powerhouse Rail was first been suggested more than 10 years ago

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she understands why people may be "cynical" over the stalled high-speed rail link between Liverpool and Manchester.

The BBC understands concerns over the long-term costs of the line have pushed back the revival of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The rail link is supposed to boost economic growth in northern England with improved rail services between Liverpool and Leeds.

The chancellor said the government was working with local mayors to "get the project right".

Reeves said: "I can understand why people are cynical, because often politicians say something and they don't deliver, and that's certainly been the case with Northern Powerhouse Rail.

"As a Leeds MP I know that all too well.

"But we also understand we need to get the project right."

Cutting travel times

She said the government was working with mayors Steve Rotheram of Liverpool, Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester and Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire to "make sure we do get that right".

The chancellor said there was "money attached" to the project and it was "not just rhetoric".

The idea of Northern Powerhouse Rail was first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.

A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London.

Parts of the scheme have been downgraded and changed by various governments but Reeves said in June she would "set out" plans to "take forward our ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the coming weeks".