Jeff Smith MP has today heralded the greenlighting of vital road and rail upgrades as “transformative” for residents in Manchester. The announcement comes alongside the over £92 billion of investment announced at the spending review.

The wave of projects set to go ahead will ease congestion, cut journey times and bring greater access to jobs and opportunities – making working people better off.

Projects given the green light in the North West include:

• A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme is given the go ahead, supporting over 10,000 new homes and connecting millions to drive economic growth and make working people better off.
• Greater Manchester’s M60 Simister Island has funding confirmed. This will, subject to planning approval, support Greater Manchester’s ‘Places for Everyone’ programme to create 20,000 new jobs and enable the development of 7,000 new homes
• Middlewich Eastern Bypass greenlit, and more local road schemes across the North West also supported as Government invests in Britain’s renewal
• Transforming rail services across Manchester.

Working people in Manchester will also gain better access to jobs and housing through these schemes, helping deliver Labour’s Plan for Change to build strong foundations and kick-start economic growth, made possible by the investment unlocked in last month’s Spending Review.

Rail investment outside of London and the South East is long overdue, which is why the Government is confirming additional funding right across England and Wales, which will improve access to jobs and leisure and stimulate housing growth in the regions.

Jeff Smith, Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington said:

“Today’s announcement is very welcome – this funding will be transformative. This Labour government is putting its money where its mouth is and delivering on its transport promises.

“These projects will mean people can get to work and school more easily, see friends and family and attend important appointments. Slashing journey times and improving journeys will make all make a real, positive difference to people’s lives.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

“Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving local areas the funding boost they need, putting taxpayers’ money where it matters most and making everyday journeys easier.

“With over £92 billion investment, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.

“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”

Nationally, over 25,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes are estimated to be supported thanks to the funding committed for major road schemes, helping deliver the Government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth, and build 1.5 million more houses over five years.

Journey times will be slashed, saving commuters, businesses, and freight thousands of hours every week, and boosting economic growth across the whole country.

These new infrastructure commitments are backed by £92 billion of Government funding to invest in more projects across England, including record levels of funding for upgrading our road and rail networks, extending the £3 bus cap, providing £1 billion to enhance the local road network and create a new Structures Fund.

To support local journeys, the Government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes vital to connecting and growing communities. These schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes, are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects which will improve millions of congested commutes and unlock further housing and jobs.

Of the £92.8 billion, the Chancellor has already announced £10.2 billion for rail enhancements, improving connectivity and unlocking growth in key areas of the UK, which have for too long struggled with unreliable, infrequent services. This also includes £24 billion for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.

“Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.”

This continued funding for rail schemes up and down the country will open up access to jobs, grow the economy and drive up quality of life as the Plan for Change is delivered.