The Government has been urged to invest £100bn on Northern infrastructure by 2050 to deliver major strategic road and rail projects.
A letter from more than 80 MPs and Peers is calling for the Government to revolutionise Northern rail travel to deliver new jobs and economic growth.
It argues that Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) should be delivered at the same time as HS2 arrives in Leeds and Manchester to realise its full impact.
The letter states: ‘NPR has the potential to increase capacity and reduce journey times but also to greatly enhance transport links that deliver transformational economic growth for our towns and cities.’
Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: ‘Bringing forward the delivery date of NPR to the same time as HS2 arrives in the North could see the coming generation enjoy further education and job opportunities currently beyond young people today, and stimulate significant growth for the whole of the UK.’