THE Mayor of Tees Valley has defended the government's spending plans for the region after it was announced that investment was been reduced.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has sparked anger by approving £30 billion plans for Crossrail 2 in London and the south east, days after a series of rail projects in Wales, the Midlands and the north were downgraded or axed.

The decision has been described as a betrayal of the north with London "jumping the queue" on regions waiting spending on transport.

Leaders in Manchester, Liverpool, West Yorkshire and Sheffield have lined up to criticise the plans, highlighting the north-south funding gap.

One scheme, the electrification of the line between Leeds and Manchester, part of a wider plan to upgrade the entire transpennine line west from Liverpool, to Hull and Newcastle, was seen as a key element of the "Northern Powerhouse" to boost the economy across the region through a "Crossrail for the North".

Mr Grayling has denied abandoning electrification upgrades for the north but suggested instead the use of "bi-mode" trains which run on diesel and electricity. Critics say electric trains are faster, cleaner and greener.

The Department for Transport say £1 billion is already being invested to improve rail infrastructure across the North of England, as well as £800 million on new road schemes.

And Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has defended the plans, he said: “The government has made a strong commitment to investment in transport across the north, not just in the big cities. We need to put forward good quality business cases for investment, as we are in the Tees Valley. There are many other parts of the country that are looking at the Tees Valley with envy because of the deal we've been able to strike with the government.

"We should be encouraged by the opportunities and the funds presented to us as part of the wider Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

However, think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North has launched a petition calling for the Government to fund Crossrail for the North.

Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, said: "To approve or back Crossrail 2 ahead of backing the Northern Powerhouse rail programme is really rubbing salt into the wounds.

"And to do it when Parliament's in recess and there can't be further questions of the decision taken creates greater anger and resentment.

"We are going to be calling for the Transport Secretary to pledge backing for Crossrail for the north.

"Over the past decade we have spent £59 billion more in London than in the north of England so over the next decade there's £59 billion catch-up cash should be devolved to transport for the north.

"Actually there's huge economic potential in the north of England. But we need to invest in the north, it's just very short sighted to be constantly mitigating congestion in the south rather than investing in the north."