Bosses ‘upset’ and ‘dissapointed’ over downscaled rail plans, says CBI director

The Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that regional bosses are “disappointed” and “upset” with the decision to scrap the leg of HS2 set to be constructed between the Midlands and Leeds, along with the minimisation of the Northern Powerhouse Rail link plans.

Tony Danker told Sky News earlier today: “Let’s not sugarcoat this,” saying that businesses in the North East of England “were disappointed with the news on rail, they’ve been upset by it.”

“I think what they are hoping for is that the Prime Minister, the Government, the Transport Secretary will get into a second round of conversations on it.

“And, interestingly, it has been less about connectivity to the South and much more about connectivity across the North, about all the cities in the North of England being connected to each other and economic activity.

“So I hope we haven’t heard the last of it, I hope the Government will keep on talking.”

The CBI’s annual conference will take place in eight locations across the country from Monday to Wednesday this week.