By bizn_fun 
A particular issue is whether the Treasury believes that connecting Manchester Airport to the centre of Manchester, a part of Northern Powerhouse Rail which overlapped with part of the cancelled HS2 Phase 2, represents value for money.
It had been a key part of the project’s benefits, allowing easy access to the airport from across the north of England.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously called on the government push ahead with the Liverpool to Manchester rail line, and has jointly proposed a route with Steve Rotherham, which includes Manchester Airport.
In response to the plans being delayed again, a source close to Burnham told the BBC: “Any more tyre kicking and there will be no tyre left.”
In August, the boss of Manchester Airport Chris Woodroofe said poor transport links across northern England were holding back its economic potential. He said Northern Powerhouse Rail would be vital to boosting investment and exports for northern businesses.
When HS2 Phase 2 was cancelled by former prime minister Rishi Sunak two years ago, £12bn of its budget was saved for this part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
But the architect of the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2, Andrew Gilligan, recently wrote a report for the centre right think tank Policy Exchange, calling for Northern Powerhouse Rail to be scrapped.
The report was backed by Reform, whose deputy leader Richard Tice warned companies “not to bother” bidding for contracts.