ManchesterKurt and LN-KGL
I don't disagree with you on the need for more investment. What I find odd, however, is that none of the schemes you refer to were mentioned by MAG in its Davies Commission submissions, as far as I can see. If there is a desire to see these schemes funded, then surely it's a major missed opportunity on MAG's part. Especially as there currently seems to be a rare cross-party consensus on the need for major infrastructure investment in the region.
And I agree that the excessive focus on HS2 is distracting attention from the need for other, more urgent solutions. But I'm afraid that MAG, Bernstein and others are in thrall to HS2 when they ought to be focussing on more immediate issues.