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Leaders fear 'cheap and nasty' rail network as Government delays plan for north
direct to your inboxNorthern leaders fear ministers could 'drain the ambition' from the multi-billion pound Northern Powerhouse Rail project which was set to revolutionise the region's train network.Their concerns centre around an instruction from Minister Grant Shapps to delay Transport for the North's (TFN) business case for the scheme until the Department for Transport has produced their own plans for how it will link up with HS2 and other major infrastructure.Back in the summer of 2014, George Osborne, then chancellor, launched the 'Northern Powerhouse', promising a rail sytem that would get cities 'radically connected' from east to west.But leaders are growing increasingly concerned that the 'northern voice' is being silenced when it