The UK Government said on Monday that £400 million of extra funding will back transport improvements across the Northern Powerhouse.

“More than £100 million will go towards local road schemes to fix congestion pinch-points and speed up journeys, while an extra £300 million will help push forward plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail to bolster links between Northern towns and cities with more frequent and faster services,” said the Treasury in a statement.

“Ministers are already investing record amounts to strengthen transport links in the North.

“This local road funding, from the £23 billion National Productivity and Investment Fund (NPIF), will go towards 13 priority schemes in the North West, 10 in Yorkshire and the Humber and 10 across the North East.

“These have been proposed by local leaders who know their areas best and illustrated how this investment will be of the greatest benefit to local people to improve journeys and help support jobs.

“The extra £300 million will go towards ensuring HS2 infrastructure can accommodate future Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Connect services.

“Future-proofing will make it easier and less disruptive to build Northern Powerhouse Rail in the future.

“This will enable faster services between the Northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and York, as well as on towards the East Midlands and London.

“It will also enable services between Liverpool and Leeds to pass via Manchester Piccadilly station.”