A LETTER urging the Prime Minister to deliver HS2 in full has more than 100 signatories from across the North, including Bradford. 

The letter to Boris Johnson says the future of HS2 is "critical" to the North and Midlands and says a failure to deliver it in full would be a "massive missed opportunity to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, attract major investment and stimulate huge economic growth".

It says it would leave the 'levelling up' ambition "in tatters" and that growth is being held back by uncertainty.

The letter adds: "The Integrated Rail Plan is your chance to move on from Covid to what the future of the UK should look like. Levelling up parts of the country that have seen traditional and considerable underinvestment, and that would benefit from a plan for growth.

"The opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to HS2 in full is within your grasp. Businesses in the North and the Midlands stand ready to capitalise on the opportunities an integrated high speed network would provide and help rebuild the economy. This decision is vital to the future of this country, and it rests with you now."

Jonny Noble, of the Bradford BID; Ian Ward, general manger of The Broadway and Trevor Higgins, CEO of Bradford Breakthrough are among those who put their name to the letter.