Labour's pledge to boost rail network

HOWEVER PARTY REFUSES TO COMMIT TO SPECIFIC SCHEMES

- JOSEPH TIMAN

LABOUR has promised to improve railways across the North of England - but the party has refused to commit to specific schemes.

Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh told the M.E.N that the party has not ruled anything out, including building the new platforms at Piccadilly which were promised more than a decade ago but cancelled last year.

However, the party has not committed to building the new high-speed railway line from Manchester to Liverpool which is currently on the table.

Ms Haigh also said there are 'lots of options on the table' when it comes to improving rail links between Manchester and Birmingham. This includes the plans for a new line that mayor Andy Burnham put forward after the Northern leg of HS2 was scrapped last year.