Chancellor George Osbourne has travelled to Manchester to kick off the £600 million Northern Hub programme of rail improvements.
Osbourne was at Manchester Airport station where Network Rail is delivering £20 million worth of platform upgrades.
Launching the scheme, Osbourne said the work being completed as part of the Northern Hub project will not only create faster, more reliable rail links but also provide economic benefits to the region.
Osborne said: “The government’s long term plan is about securing a recovery for all parts of the country. Because of the tough decisions we’ve taken on day-to-day spending, we’re able to invest in key infrastructure projects like the Northern Hub, which will create billions for the region.
“Each part of this project, like the first work at Manchester Airport station that I’ve kicked off today, will help us build the infrastructure we need to compete in the global race.
“This investment will ensure growth is not concentrated in any one place by keeping Britain connected and creating thousands of local jobs, delivering a brighter economic future for the whole country.”
The entire programme of improvements is expected to be complete by 2019 and could see journey times reduced by 10 minutes between Leeds and Manchester, and by 10-15 minutes between Liverpool and Manchester.
The global race to where? Leeds?