Government sets out £13 billion transport blueprint for Northern Powerhouse

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed a £13 billion transport blueprint to support creation of the Northern Powerhouse.

The proposals have been revealed as government ministers visit major infrastructure projects designed to transform the region.

The investment aims to bring cities and regions closer together, strengthening connections and closing the economic gap between North and South. The revealed blueprint demonstrates how transport links across the north are being transformed by government investment.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This one nation government is determined to close the economic gap between North and South. Investing in transport – something that successive governments have failed to do sufficiently – is vital to making that happen.

“We had a choice – building the infrastructure our country needs, or letting our transport system become a brake on growth and opportunity. We have chosen to invest for the future.

“Across the North, that investment is already having a huge impact, with programmes underway to upgrade our railways and our roads. We are determined to keep the momentum going.”

Commercial Secretary at the Treasury Lord O’Neill added: “‎Investing in first class transport infrastructure is a key part of our commitment to create a Northern Powerhouse.

“Our investment is helping to better connect the region, building a strong Northern economy, and it is great to see the huge progress already underway.”

On the 11 August Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin will visit a number of key investment projects in the north of England including the opening of the new A5758 Broom’s Cross Road between Thornton and Switch Island in Merseyside.

The blueprint includes some recently completed projects including a new electric train service between Manchester, Liverpool and Wigan. Other improvements include the autumn 2015 opening of the refurbished station at Manchester Victoria, a new southern entrance to Leeds station, faster trains and better services between Sheffield and London, the transformation of city to city rail connectivity across the region through HS2 and TransNorth east-west rail links and a £4.8 billion investment for 40 major road schemes across Yorkshire, the North East and North West, due for completion by 2020/21.

The Department for Transport’s blueprint for connecting the Northern Powerhouse can be viewed here.