SCRAPPING the Manchester leg of HS2 would free up cash to fix pot holes, Rishi Sunak hinted this morning.
In a gruelling round of regional interviews, the PM refused to commit to completing the mega rail project in full.
Mr Sunak denied betraying northerners, arguing more people use cars than trains.
And he insisted “value for money” was his main priority, above ensuring HS2 reaches Manchester.
The PM said: "I think what people will see, I mean particularly around where we are – my home is in Northallerton – we're investing record amounts in improving infrastructure but also delivering levelling up.
"I mean making sure that our town centres and high streets get the investment that they need.
"Making sure that our roads, the potholes are maintained well, making sure that our bus services are running well, that's all important."
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Mr Sunak added: "When I speak to people when I'm at home or anywhere else around, what everyone tells me is that you've got to make it easier to get around all our northern towns and cities, whether it's Hull, York, Leeds, Sheffield, all the way over to Liverpool.
"Connecting all those cities up is really important and we're doing that.
"But also investing in the local transport that people use every day, making sure that our potholes are filled, making sure that our bus services are running – particularly important in rural areas like mine."
Mr Sunak's non-denial comes as rail chiefs this week warned the taxpayer bill for HS2 could hit an eye-watering £180bn.
Lord Berkley, a former deputy chair of the government's HS2 review, said the rail line desperately needs "repurposing" and costs must come down "dramatically".
He told TalkTV: "We reckon it costs about £180bn now which is stupid.
"The other problem is that it's the wrong project for today.
"When everyone in the North is complaining bitterly that it won't go to Manchester – what they should be complaining about is that it doesn't actually connect the cities of the North."
Potential plans to scale back or delay the project won't be announced until November's Autumn Statement after a major backlash, The Sun understands.
However, the issue is set to dominate Tory Party conference, which kicks off in Manchester this Sunday.
The PM said he will drive to the city as rail strikes hit the country.
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Manchester leg aside, this morning Mr Sunak insisted that he is delivering "phase one" of HS2.
He said: "There are spades in the ground right now at the moment making sure that we complete the first part of this line from Birmingham to Central London, and we are absolutely getting on with that, that is important."
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