THE boss of one of the North-East's most powerful industry bodies has delivered a withering attack on Labour's record on transport.

Alan Hall, chairman of the Engineering Employers Federation in the North, which represents 400 engineering firms employing 60,000 people, said the Government had "sold the region short" and had not given enough emphasis to the question of transport provision in the region.

He said: "One of the reasons for this failure is that the Government formula for determining investment in transport has congestion as one of the key measures.

"In falling short of the needs of this region, it has to be said that the Government does not seem to understand the significance of transport links in enabling the North-East to quicken its pace on economic regeneration."

Mr Hall added: "Upgrading the East Coast Main Line, creating a motorway blue line running through the centre of this region, and upgrading the A69 and A66, are four major infrastructure projects the Government has failed to address.

"Pinch-points in the current infrastructure also include the Tyne Tunnel and Gateshead Western Bypass.

"We need the Government to understand that the very best communication links are required into and out of this region in order that the North-East has a chance to make the necessary huge strides up the economic league table within the UK."

Last month, director general of the CBI Sir Digby Jones warned that it would be "perilous" for the three major political parties to ignore transport during the General Election campaign in favour of more voter-friendly issues such as crime and hospitals.

He said the Government's forthcoming spending plans for transport fell about £60bn short.