Scaling down of rail plans would be 'disastrous' for region

Video report by Sally Simpson.

Politicians and businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have been reacting angrily to reports the government is going to water down rail upgrades across the North of England.

Details of Boris Johnson's Integrated Rail Plan are due to be published later this week. It is expected to confirm that the final phase of HS2 between Leeds and Birmingham will be scrapped as well as the £39 billion high-speed rail link from Leeds to Manchester.

The news has not gone own well with businesses like Thorite in Bradford, which makes pneumatic gas products.

It was hoping to feel the benefit of the line from Leeds to Manchester.

Managing Director Stephen Wright said: "It was meant to have been nailed on and now it's been on and off quite a number of times and it's really frustrating."

"We've tried to promote ourselves as a national business - run nationally. When you're seen as coming out of Bradford sometimes it's seen as not important. I don't see why that should be the case. Bradford is an important city and for too long has been neglected."

It's a view shared by Bradford Council, whose leader today said the very idea was unthinkable.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: "I cannot believe the Government would not invest in Bradford and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Northern Powerhouse Rail has been promised by Government for years now and Boris Johnson has made it a personal ambition of his to make sure there's a new high-speed rail line going from east to west connecting all the major cities of the north and Bradford is one of those and I really hope and urge Government to make sure they put Bradford Northern Powerhouse at the centre of their plans on Thursday."

Businesses in the East of the region are also disappointed the cross pennine route may be shelved as it was hoped it would connect with Hull.

Wrecking Ball Music in the city gets customers from as far away as York and Leeds.

Gary Marks from the business, said: "We want Hull to be accessible and we want people to come into the town. It's almost like the end of the line at times. This shouldn't be the case, Hull's a large city with lots to offer and we need to be not forgotten about. "

For Stop HS2 campaigners the reports are bitter sweet. Some towns will be saved from the diggers others, like Crofton near Wakefield, will still be on the new routes.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “Work is continuing on the integrated rail plan.

“We will publish it shortly and do not comment on speculation.”