A GROUP of Northern political leaders will discuss the Government's "woefully inadequate" plans to improve local rail service at a meeting next week.

Transport for the North Board meets at The Queens Hotel in Leeds on Wednesday and will discuss their reaction to the Integrated Rail Plan and what it means for the region’s future.

Announced on Thursday, the plan effectively scrapped the long promised Northern Powerhouse Rail line that would link Leeds to Manchester, potentially via Bradford, as well as the Leeds leg of HS2.

The scrapping of these schemes, which Boris Johnson has pledged to push ahead with numerous times, has been roundly condemned in the North.

TfN Interim Chair Cllr Louise Gittins branded the IRP “woefully inadequate” when it was published, and added: “Leaders from across the North and from across the party political divide came together to ask for a network that would upgrade the North for this century and in line with the rest of the country.

"Our statutory advice asked for an over £40 billion network but the Government has decided to provide even less than half of that.

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“If we truly want to level up the country we don’t need words and promises. We need commitment. We need investment. We need Government to make good its pledge to the North and to deliver funding so we can deliver value back into UK PLC.”

The Northern political and business leaders who make up the TfN Board will use the meeting to speak with ‘one voice’ on the region’s reaction and next steps for ensuring the North of England gets the rail connectivity it needs and deserves.

The meeting – which is being streamed live online - will also cover:

• The appointment of a TfN Board and Partnership Board Chair

• TfN’s Decarbonisation Strategy

• Major Roads Report

• Rail Reform White Paper

• TfN budget and business planning