A GOVERNMENT blueprint showing how £13 billion of investment in transport will help create a ‘northern powerhouse’ has been welcomed by Winsford’s MP.

The blueprint, which was published last week, shows how the Conservatives are delivering record investment in transport infrastructure across the north west.

Projects underway include the redevelopment of Manchester Victoria Station, real-time customer information screens at 140 new stations, a new southern entrance as Leeds Station, doubling of services between Manchester and Liverpool, Macclesfield, and Chester, and between Bolton and Stockport, upgrading the Trans Penine motorway and the A628 between Manchester and South Yorkshire.

Antoinette Sandbach, MP for Eddisbury, said: “I welcome this blueprint for investment in transport across the north as a demonstration of the Conservatives’ commitment to a one-nation approach – rebalancing our economy and creating a northern powerhouse.

“Bringing the cities and regions of the north west together and strengthening connections will help to create new opportunities and jobs for the people of Eddisbury.

“The people of Eddisbury want a transport network that is better, faster and more reliable.

“Powered by a huge increase in investment and ambition right across the country, that is what our long-term economic plan will deliver."

Last week, Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, visited the Farnworth Tunnel to commemorate the start of tunnelling work.

The new tunnel will allow faster trains and more seats to run between Preston and Manchester via Bolton – one of the busiest commuter routes in the north west.

Other major projects already delivered in the north west include increased capacity on Trans Penine Express services, electrification between Liverpool, Manchester and Wigan and longer trains on the Cumbrian Coast.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Good transport is vital for local communities and is a fundamental part of creating the northern powerhouse.

“As a one-nation government we are determined to bring prosperity to every corner of our country and through the northern powerhouse we aim to help the north unleash its power and create a balanced, healthier economy – good for people in the north and across the United Kingdom.”