Petition Northern Regions should be offered HS2 billions as redevelopment loans.

It is proposed that each of the Northern Regions be given the choice, of whether they would prefer to receive in the form of a redevelopment loan, a proportionate share of the £40 billion pound investment earmarked for the North/South train.

The following areas would thus benefit from decision making at a more regional level and could use the investment as best suits regional needs.

North East Population 2,607,000
North West Population 6,936,000
Yorkshire & Humber Population 5,301,000
East Midlands Population 4,481,000
West Midlands Population 5,455,000

Rather than see it used in the construction of the High Speed Rail project, we the undersigned believe that in choosing this alternative to HS2, government would display a real intention to reduce the North/South divide.

It is invisaged that these redevelopment loans would be repaid over a period equating to whatever "project life" was determined.