TEES Valley Mayor Ben Houchen insists he will 'continue to fight' for rail investment as concern continues over an expected government backtrack on key improvements for the North.

The government publishes its Integrated Rail Plan tomorrow which is expected to contain scaled-back plans for railway investment in the North, known as the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

Read more: Scaled-back rail improvements 'shatter the illusion' of levelling-up

Sources say that the eastern leg of HS2 between the Midlands and Leeds is being scrapped and the plan in the North will only involve investing into existing Transpennine route upgrades.

Earlier this week, MPs from the region expressed concern that the North-East will suffer economically unless sufficient investment is made across the northern rail infrastructure.

Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake said developments such as the Freeport on Teesside and the burgeoning green energy sector needed maximum rail connectivity if they are to reach their full potential.

Durham City Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy said that if the government doesn’t deliver on the Northern Powerhouse Rail promises it made in 2019, then the ‘illusion’ of levelling-up will be shattered.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said today that the region’s railways ‘have been overlooked for years’ and said that connecting Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool with the rest of the country is central to his jobs creation plans.

He said: “I previously made it clear that plans to reduce long-distance services as part of the East Coast Main Line May 2022 timetable consultation were not acceptable and secured a pause in the new timetable’s implementation.

“I will continue to fight for infrastructure investment and improved services for our area, however, we must also focus on what we can do locally, thanks to our devolved powers by virtue of having a Mayor.

Read more: Boris Johnson insists North East will 'benefit massively' from rail investment

“Thanks to the £310million committed by Government, we’ve been able to pledge cash to our biggest stations, including Darlington, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.

“A key part of our plan to transform transport is to give every station across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool the investment and upgrades they sorely need.

“This includes Billingham, South Bank, Eaglescliffe and Redcar Central.

“We are also driving forward improvements to freight connectivity between the Freeport and the East Coast Main Line.

“Of course, I will always push for more funding as this won’t solve every problem, but it will be a vast improvement on what’s gone before.”

Addressing concerns that Teesside’s Freeport and green energy industry will suffer unless the rail network in the region is improved, Mr Houchen said: “Our Freeport is already attracting businesses to the Teesworks site, including GE Renewable Energy’s mammoth blade turbine manufacturing facility.

“My priority is to make sure local people can take advantage of these jobs we are creating by giving them the efficient, reliable and regular transport network they deserve - whether that is by road or rail.

“Then, we can be sure the high-quality, well-paid jobs we’re creating are going to local people, not those from Leeds or Manchester.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes slammed the expected decision to water down northern rail upgrades.

He said it means there will only be one high speed connection from London to Scotland – and it will go up the west coast.

He added: “We will be bypassed, not just in the first phase but over the next century as new routes are developed with high speed technology.

“And to make matters worse, not only are we being denied the investment that has been promised and has now pulled from under our feet, there is absolutely no announcement of any additional rail services or investment here in the North-East to replace that lost funding.”

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