Mary Creagh MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to a new report on high-speed rail by David Higgins, said:

“Labour supports high-speed rail to tackle commuter overcrowding and to improve connections between cities in the north and Midlands and London.  We have repeatedly said we need value for money for the taxpayer and to improve the existing plans to maximise the benefits for the whole country.

"Hard-pressed travellers in the north will judge David Cameron on his actions, not words. Under his Tory-led Government rail fares have risen recently by up to 162 per cent for northern rail passengers, and there are plans to cut vital east-west services from Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Scunthorpe to Manchester.

"Only a Labour government will cap rail fares, legislate for a public sector operator, devolve the running of regional and local services and deliver a railway which puts passengers first.”