West Midlands mayor Andy Street announces decision over his future after HS2 U-turn - full statement

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has announced his decision over his future as the region’s mayor today (October 4) after PM Rishi Sunak scrapped the HS2 northern route.

Mr Street had reportedly considering quitting as the region’s mayor if PM Sunak decided to axe the Birmingham to Manchester route of the HS2.

And Sunak announced in Manchester at the Conservative Party Conference today that the northern route of the HS2 connecting Birmingham to Manchester will indeed be scrapped due to ballooning costs.

Mayor Mr Street has since said that he will not be resigning though he is “incredibly disappointed that the Prime Minister has decided to shelve the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street’s full statement

Mayor Street shared his statement on X, formerly Twitter today. He said: “No one has fought harder for HS2 than me, and so I am incredibly disappointed that the Prime Minister has decided to shelve the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2. We fought for it, but we did not prevail.

“I have therefore thought incredibly long and hard about what my future in the Conservative Party should be. Ultimately, I have decided not to resign.

“The West Midlands must be at the heart of the UK's modern transport network, and reap all the benefits that will bring. The Prime Minister has today reached out to work with me to make that happen, and to turn my back on that offer would be doing a serious disservice to my region.

“I know this decision will make me deeply unpopular in some circles, and indeed many wanted me to resign and make a statement against my party. But I have always said that I would put place before party, and staying as a Conservative to work with the Prime Minister and his Government to continue the revival of the West Midlands is doing exactly that.

“Two weeks ago we had a proposal that would see HS2 run from Old Oak Common to Curzon Street, but thanks to ferocious lobbying – which I hope people will acknowledge I played my part in got a high-speed line that will run from Euston to Handsacre, before connecting to the existing West Coast Main Line. High-speed or not, this places the West Midlands at the heart of the UK's rail spine. This announcement today also protects significant numbers of job in the supply chain across the West Midlands.

“But running high-speed rail from London to north of Birmingham is only half a job, and makes today's Manchester decision so agonising. That is why a concession I secured from the Prime Minister is his commitment to allow the private sector consortium I have put together to conduct our work - starting at Euston - to re-examine the operating model, design specs, governance, financial models, and economic case for high-speed rail. The PM said emphatically today that the Manchester leg of HS2 was cancelled, but delusion or not I believe through this work a high-speed link between Birmingham and Manchester can be revived. Crucially, the private sector companies I have on board feel the same.

“Do not forget that HS2 was never meant to reach Manchester until 2041, and so I am convinced we can find a way to get back on track. Greater Manchester has so much in common with the West Midlands, and I would never sell out our allies. I remain as committed as ever to a future high-speed link between our two great regions. I do have to acknowledge some substantial investments that the PM has announced for the West Midlands today. Midland Rail Hub - which will be a £1.75billion investment from the Government - will revolutionise travel across the East and West Midlands. For years rail links with our Eastern neighbours have been appalling, but the plan we put together that has now been funded by Government will address this swiftly. What this means practically is more frequent services to the likes of Leicester and Nottingham, whilst also enabling a third cross-city line via Moor Street - a station that will finally be able to reach its vast potential.”