Northern travel improvements closer to reality

The road network in the North of England may receive billions of pounds worth of investment if government plans come to pass.

The proposal, known as the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ scheme, has the backing of the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, and the Chancellor, George Osborne, and would help motorists travel more quickly between the North’s biggest cities.

The plans have been forwarded by Transport for the North, and would include development of new East-West road connections, such as a road tunnel under the Peak District, widening sections of regional motorways and making improvements to the A1.

Also included in the proposal is the implementation of multibillion-pound rail improvements such as Oyster-style travel cards and a simplified fare system.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Any motorist who regularly drives from east to west or vice versa will know just how complicated - and long - a journey can be, and these plans have the potential to finally change that.

“We now need some firm budgets and timescales to give motorists the confidence that such announcements are not just pre-election rhetoric."

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