Northern cities announce £15billion transport plan

Five cities have unveiled a £15bn plan to improve inter-city rail and road connections across the north of England.

According to Local Govt News;

The One North report provides a 15-year plan for connectivity improvements across Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield – including a 125mph trans-Pennine rail-link.

Designed to complement HS2 proposals, the document includes plans to boost road capacity by 150% and speed up rail journey times by 55%.

While warmly welcoming the report, chancellor George Osborne today urged the North of England to help ‘make a reality’ of his plans for the Northern Powerhouse – due to be a key element of the Autumn Statement.

Mr Osborne pledged that in November he would outline plans for a major devolution of civic power and responsibilities for cities with elected mayors.

‘I’m ready to commit new money, new infrastructure, new transport and new science. And real new civic power too,’ the chancellor said.

‘If we work together, bring our cities together, invest in future transport and skills and science, we can build a Northern Powerhouse.’

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: ‘The current constraints on our transport networks, the product of years of neglect and under-investment, affect the competitiveness of the north.

‘We need a new holistic approach to strategic investment and planning. The reward would be a substantially increased contribution to the national economy.’

Cllr Keith Wakefield, Leeds City Council leader, said: ‘This report demonstrates once again that only through tackling our out-dated transport system will the North be able to fulfil its true economic potential, benefiting our own local communities and the country as a whole.’