For many people in the north of England, the Integrated Rail Review heralds less of a rail revolution than a rail betrayal. There will be relief among those whose houses were due to be bulldozed to make way for HS2’s eastern spur, as well as those who always viewed that project as an unforgivable waste of money that would primarily benefit London.
But good luck finding many people who welcome the government’s downgrading of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), which should have been a new east-west line connecting the north’s key cities.
Perhaps it is due to the planners never getting as far as sending compulsory purchase letters to properties obstructing the route or disturbing Peak District bats. But everyone who has had the misfortune of
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