Hull City Council is backing calls by northern leaders for the Government to commit to a “Northern Budget” to boost the region’s economic fortunes.
The calls asks the Government to deliver on commitments promised as part of the Northern Powerhouse agenda.
It is being backed by the Transport for the North, which represents more than 15 million people across the north.
Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said: “Our shared vision is of a thriving north of England where modern transport connections drive economic growth.
“This is why we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from local authorities across the north, calling on the Government to deliver improved transport infrastructure for those who live, work and visit this area of the country.
“Improving Hull’s rail and road network to support sustainable economic growth is a key priority for this authority and by working together, we can ensure the city is better connected to economic centres across the north and beyond.”
The calls ask for commitment to:
- a £7 billion Northern Infrastructure Pipeline – a list of shovel-ready road and rail projects to be delivered by the mid-2020s
- a full £39 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) network by 2040
- a £1 billion for Transport for the North over the next three years to deliver on its vision, including funding for the development of Northern Powerhouse Rail and other road and rail schemes.
Barry White, chief executive of Transport for the North, said: “The north is now at the top of the national political agenda, with promises to balance out the UK’s economy and unleash our potential by better connecting our towns and cities.
“We now need a Northern Budget to make both the shovel-ready projects and the ambitious longer-term programmes like Northern Powerhouse Rail a reality.”
Read the full statement from Transport for the North here.
