‘It’s typical’: Transpennine ‘express’ passengers voice cynicism over Boris Johnson’s rail plans

Commuters on the 8.30 train to Leeds are dismissive about levelling up after Boris Johnson's broken promises on HS2

Few travellers would disagree that the Transpennine Express makes for a splendid journey across the rugged spine of northern England, snaking through beautiful green valleys and picturesque stone villages, from Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds railway station. But perhaps many would quibble with the use of the word express".

It took just over an hour to traverse the 35 miles between the two cities on the 08.30 from Manchester on Friday - less an intercity bullet train than a rural heritage experience. The long-promised high-speed link was intended to cut the time to 25 minutes, but last week the government announced that it had abandoned those plans, along with the HS2 eastern section to Leeds.