Key figures across the North East have become embroiled in the row over cancelling another leg of HS2.

This comes as HS2 boss Mark Thurston has resigned amid rumours that the Birmingham to Manchester leg is set to be scrapped.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has made the case for dispersing the funding for the project across the country.

He believes with just a fraction of the funding he could transform transport in the North East.

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Mr Houchen said: "HS2 is a white elephant.

"Not only does it completely ignore the North East, the cost is so ridiculous that if we reallocated the money we could deliver NPR, in full, and give every northern leader enough to transform local transport in their areas and still save the taxpayer £80bn."

The North East Chamber of Commerce and Northern Powerhouse Partnership have made statements arguing that scrapping another section of the project will affect the region.

They explained that sections of the HS2 would also be used by the Northern Powerhouse Rail which would link the East and West of the North of England.

John McCabe, chief executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: "We know from our members how important rail connectivity is to the region's economy.

"We need to see the government outline clearly how it will invest in the future of rail connectivity in the north - and we need that clarity soon."

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Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, weighed into the debate and highlighted the need to maximise connectivity in the North East.

He said: "We absolutely need real rail investment.

"We are on the verge of works completing at Middlesbrough Railway Station, and if we want to maximise our connections to other cities and towns we need the infrastructure behind it."

Transport for the North Chair, Lord McLoughlin, said: "The Northern leaders spoke with one voice today.

"We need HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail built-in full if we are to realise the full potential of the North and to level up our national economy. Let us not delay."