Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled plans to invest £15.6bn in buses, trams and trains outside of London.
The funding will be invested in transport projects in the north of England and the Midlands, including a Metro extension linking Washington to Newcastle and Sunderland and the renewal of South Yorkshire’s tram network.
In a speech in Greater Manchester today, the Chancellor is expected to say, ‘a Britain that is better off cannot rely on a handful of places forging ahead of the rest of the country,’ adding the ‘result of such thinking has been growth created in too few places, felt by too few people and wide gaps between regions, and between our cities and towns.’
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said the move will be ‘critical to driving regional growth.’
The funding will reportedly form part of a wider £113bn investment in capital projects over the parliament.
Cllr Adam Hug, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: 'This confirmation of transport funding for mayoral areas is good news for residents and communities in these places, which will boost local economies by connecting more people to jobs and services.'
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