Government funding to improve transport in the North

The government and transport secretary have visited Manchester to discuss how the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and long awaited A57 upgrade will better connect people, communities and businesses across the region.

The visit comes after announcements in the budget that secured funding to deliver both  transport projects that will provide connectivity between some of the country’s biggest economic centres, while supporting everyday journeys within the towns and cities in between.

The TRU programme aims to improve the main line from Manchester to York, via Leeds and Huddersfield, into a high performing, reliable, electrified railway with more frequent, faster and greener journeys.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: "Investment in our transport infrastructure is vital to delivering our growth mission. Without improvements to our roads and rail we won’t be able to create jobs and boost business, which is why I prioritised projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the long awaited A57 upgrade in the Budget last week.

"Securing the delivery of these two important schemes brings our key northern economic centres closer together. This government is ending 14 years of neglect of the north, instead bolstering the region’s immense growth power to benefit the whole country."

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said: "Reliable, well-connected transport links are crucial to driving up productivity and unlocking opportunities for jobs, education and businesses across our towns and cities.

"But for too long, the north’s transport infrastructure has been neglected.

"That’s why I am delighted the Chancellor’s first Budget secured the delivery of 2 multi-billion-pound projects that will be vital for rail and road journeys across the north of England.

"I look forward to working on the successful delivery of both schemes that will make a huge different to people’s everyday journeys – making travelling between these great towns and cities quicker, easier and greener."