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UK government in geography of England fail

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UK Geography - Level 4

A UK government transport report was found to contain geographical mistakes. The "Network North" report was made after the government scrapped a project called HS2. This was a high-speed rail link connecting the north of England to the south. The report seems to relocate Manchester. It also promised to upgrade a road on the south coast of England. In addition, it vowed to build a tram to Manchester airport. The airport tram opened in 2014.

Critics are shocked at the end of HS2. It was announced by the ruling party in 2012 to "level up" the north. Abandoning it is a U-turn. A year ago, the government was committed to HS2. Now, the government is leaving the north of England with a century-old railway. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vital part of a modern society and economy."

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UK Geography - Level 5

A UK government report on its rail network was found to contain geographical mistakes and questionable promises. It is titled "Network North" and was issued after UK leader Rishi Sunak scrapped an infrastructure project called HS2. This was a high-speed rail link connecting the city of Manchester in the north to the south. The report's front cover seems to relocate Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to upgrading a road on the south coast of England. It also vowed to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.

Critics are dismayed at the scrapping of HS2. The project was announced with great fanfare by the ruling party in 2012. It was a key policy to "level up" the north. Abandoning HS2 is seen as a U-turn. Just a year ago, Mr Sunak was committed to the rail link. Many people say the government is leaving the north of England with a century-old railway. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vital part of a modern society and economy."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

UK Geography - Level 6

The UK government has issued a report on its rail network that contains mistakes and questionable promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publication seems to have relocated Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to upgrading a road called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast of England. Among other bloopers, the report vowed to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.

Government critics were dumbfounded and dismayed at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced with great fanfare by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component in efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on a policy initiative. Just a year ago, he was committed to the project. Many people say it shows the government's disregard for the north of England. They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over a century old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vital part of a modern society and economy."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson

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