PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak refused to apologise today for axing the northern leg of HS2 amid a backlash from his predecessors.

He insisted today that “the facts have changed” and the cost of high-speed rail had “more than doubled” as he defended his decision to scrap the scheme’s Birmingham to Manchester leg.

Mr Sunak told backers of HS2 that there was a need for “courage to change direction” as he confirmed his promise to use a promised £36 billion of savings from the cutbacks to fund other transport schemes.

Former PM David Cameron described the decision as the “wrong one,” adding: “It will help to fuel the views of those who argue that we can no longer think or act for the long-term as a country; that we are heading in the wrong direction.

“HS2 was about investing for the long-term, bringing the country together, ensuring a more balanced economy and delivering the Northern Powerhouse.”

He said the announcement “throws away 15 years of cross-party consensus, sustained over six administrations, and will make it much harder to build consensus for any future long-term projects.

“I regret this decision and in years to come I suspect many will look back at today’s announcement and wonder how this once-in-a-generation opportunity was lost.”

Boris Johnson wrote “I agree” in response to Mr Cameron’s scathing post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin criticised Mr Sunak for “pure electioneering” after his transport announcements.

And the mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram described the government proposals as “jam tomorrow.”

The Labour mayor said when the public realises the “telephone numbers” the Tories listed in their proposals are “not real money and it’s not going to be seen for many years … that’s not strategic transport planning.”

Labour also mocked chancellor Jeremy Hunt over the policy change by highlighting remarks he had made while a backbencher.

Mr Hunt wrote on Twitter in February 2020: “No HS2 = no ambition for our country just when the whole world is looking at us. Now is a time to be AMBITIOUS.”

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the post and wrote: “How’s it going, Jeremy?”

Railway consultant William Barter described the cuts as “ludicrous” and an act of “spite.”