A MAYOR has met with Treasury ministers to discuss plans for a number of major North-East infrastructure projects.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has met with Government ministers to discuss the plans to transform Darlington's Bank Top Station, the Northern Bypass scheme and the establishment of a Free Port in the Tees Valley.

Mr Houchen has put forward the case to Liz Truss, Chief Secretary for the Treasury, and Robert Jenrick, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and he has also met with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, to brief him on the latest progress with the South Tees Development Corporation.

Mr Houchen said: “We need urgent investment to get these projects off the ground, that’s why I am in London to push the case for a clear financial commitment to progress with rebuilding Darlington station and a new bypass around the town.

“I will also push the case for a Free Port for Teesport post-Brexit."

The £150m investment into Bank Top Station, known as Darlington 2025, will feature a remodelling of the station as well as the creation of dedicated platforms for local connections and future high speed services.

In December, the Tees Valley Combined Authority decided its preferred bypass option is to link the A66 Great Burdon roundabout with the A1 Newton Aycliffe junction.

Earlier this year, Brexit secretary David Davis said Teesport would be Britain's "gateway to the world" if it became a free port, whilst Mr Houchen said it would help re-balance the national economy, create jobs and act as a foundation stone for the planned re-development of SSI UK’s former Redcar steelworks.

"In her major Brexit speech last week, the Prime Minister spoke of the UK being a modern, outward-looking, pioneering country, and my plan for a Free Port will help Tees Valley businesses reach out to the world in on unprecedented scale," said Mr Houchen.

“With an attractive Free Ports plan and essential upgrades to our transport links, I am taking every opportunity to make our region as inviting as possible to business from around the world.

"These schemes will mean more investment, more productivity and more jobs for local people."