A DISTRICT MP has made renewed calls for HS2 to be scrapped and the money invested instead in local transport schemes.

Philip Davies, whose Shipley constituency includes Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale, raised the issue during Treasury Questions in the Commons.

He was speaking following publication of a report, by Labour peer Lord Berkeley, which claimed the cost of the controversial high-speed rail link could now exceed £108 billion.

Mr Davies said it was clear from the report that the only solution was to scrap the scheme.

He told the Commons: “Now that Lord Berkeley has laid bare the overspend and lack of return on investment of HS2, will the Chancellor pull the plug on this white elephant project and ensure that the money is spent on infrastructure projects across the north to benefit the regional economy?”

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Clarke, responded that the findings of a review into HS2 were awaited.

He said: “As a fellow northern MP, I am very keen to get cracking with higher transport infrastructure investment in the north – which the Government is absolutely committed to.

“On HS2 specifically, as Mr Davies knows, the Government has commissioned the Oakervee review to evaluate the scheme. It will report in due course and we will lay its findings before the House.”