Who will speak for the north?

Either HS2 brings economic benefits to the region, or it does not. If it does then politicians should be fighting to bring it here.

Not so Clr Michael Jones who claims it is a triumph not to have it going near Macclesfield. Not so Fiona Bruce who has fought hard (she says) to keep it away from Congleton (and, much to the dismay of people further south, from the Potteries where regeneration and inward investment is desperately needed).

Macclesfield Town Council opposed the building of the 1845 line because it stopped short of the town – so keen were they to want the town to benefit. The truth is, of course, it will not benefit the region to an appropriate economic extent but is yet another feeder into London. What we are not told is how valuable it would be to the north if half each was spent on regional infrastructure on each side of the Pennines. Both regions could grow into vibrant economic powerhouses, focused on Manchester/Salford and Leeds.

This is how, as John Hulme, who should know better, does not point out, the original infrastructure of canals and railways was evolved. It was on a regional basis, linking towns, quarries, mines and ports. It brought and developed mills, factories and warehouses. It opened stations and developed villages and towns. Only someone sitting in London could devise a plan to squander such vast resources on a transport system which avoided the very places it claims to benefit. Who will speak for the north?

CHRIS THOMSON