Northern leaders have voiced concerns that “ambition is draining out” of efforts to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail after the Government asked for the submission of a strategic outline case for the project to be put on hold.

A Transport for the North board meeting heard last week that the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wishes to delay the document in order to allow the outcome of the forthcoming Integrated Rail Plan to be taken into account.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the request from Government as “worrying” and said: “I think we are in danger of being side-lined at the worst possible moment.”

He emphasised how – when launching the Northern Powerhouse initiative – former Chancellor George Osborne spoke of the need for an ambitious plan to make the cities and towns in the north “radically more connected from east to west”.

But now, he said, “It feels as though the ambition is draining out of this project and so is the northern voice”. The region must not be marginalised and should not accept a “cut price” railway, he added.

“I don’t think people will forgive us in the north if we sit here as a board and let that happen. We have to be the guardians of the ambitions of the communities across the north for a much better 21st Century rail network.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram stated a need to emphasise to Government that – whatever proposal for Northern Powerhouse Rail is finally agreed on – “we won’t accept a cheap and nasty option”.

He suggested that a scheme thought to be favoured by Government, which would bring into the Northern Powerhouse Rail network an old coal line at Fiddler’s Ferry power station in Warrington, will not deliver on a promise to achieve 20 minute journey times from Liverpool to Manchester.

Board members agreed to delay submission of the strategic outline case but resolved instead to submit statutory advice on the north’s preferences for the project to the Department for Transport.

The meeting also heard how Transport for the North’s core operating budget is set to be cut by 40% by the Government for the upcoming 2021/22 financial year.

A letter to the Transport Secretary co-signed by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram as well as North Tyneside Mayor Jamie Driscoll and Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said the cuts put the sub national transport body’s “crucial agenda at risk”.

“Important schemes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and HS2 are only the start of what the north needs to grow and prosper. Instead, the proposed cuts will hold back the modernisation of our network and the improved connections we so urgently need,” it says.

(Photograph: Network Rail)