The Chancellor and the Transport Secretary visited Manchester to celebrate implementing two multi-billion-pound rail and road schemes to improve connectivity in the North.
The TransPennine rail route from Manchester to York and an upgrade to the A57 Link Road aim to decrease travel times and increase economic growth in the region.
Their visit yesterday comes after last week’s Budget set out plans to upgrade transport in the North and enhance links between towns and cities.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “After years of failed promises, it’s a real statement of intent from this new government that will provide more reliable journeys for millions of people and help to unlock the enormous potential of the North.”
The TransPennine route will see journeys between Manchester and Leeds reduced from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, and services between Manchester and York shrink by 10 minutes.
The £250 million upgrade to the A57 will see travel times between Manchester and Sheffield decrease and will simultaneously attempt to lower noise and pollution.
Ms Haigh said: “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.”
The Government explained their rail route renovation currently has 5,000 people working on the project which includes over 300 apprentices.
Once the rail route is complete the 70-mile track will be fully electrified and help save 87,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
Feature Image Credit: Pixabay
