Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a significant £2.15 billion investment aimed at modernizing transport in northern England, emphasizing the need to move away from the outdated Victorian-era system.

The comprehensive transport package includes £1.7 billion dedicated to improving lives across the North, although many of these projects were already in the pipeline prior to this announcement.

Downing Street has outlined plans to transform the Liverpool-Hull corridor into an economic powerhouse, supported by the initial £1.7 billion investment.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves reinforced the importance of reliable public transport for economic growth, criticizing the current system's delays and failures to deliver promised upgrades.

Additional funding will see £415 million allocated to improve the Manchester-Huddersfield-Leeds-York rail line, over £1 billion for local transport improvements, £270 million for bus services, and £330 million for road maintenance in the North.

This investment is being described as a 'downpayment for growth' and a 'vote of confidence' in the North's industries, signaling a commitment to regional development.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has stated that the North has been underserved by its transport system for too long, underscoring the urgency for change.

As part of this initiative, Starmer plans to visit a factory in the North today to promote infrastructure projects, including a mass transit system in West Yorkshire and a new rail station in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle area.

In response to Starmer's initiatives, the Conservative Party has claimed that many of the projects he is promoting were originally announced during their administration.

Starmer emphasized the government's commitment to investing twice as much in local transport in the North compared to the South, collaborating closely with regional leaders.

The TransPennine Route Upgrade is a key component of this investment, aiming to reduce travel times significantly, cutting the journey between Manchester and Leeds from 50 to 42 minutes.

He shared personal experiences of transport challenges in Leeds, highlighting how these issues affect everyday life and the need for government support for the North's industries.