THE Deputy Prime Minister is pushing for greater investment in the region's transport infrastructure, saying London commuters would not accept aged Pacer trains.

Nick Clegg wants funding for improvements to the North's road and rail networks to feature in the Government's Autumn statement.

As well as the electrification for the rail lines connecting Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester, he has called for the unpopular Pacers, which run across the Northern Rail network, to be replaced by 2025.

Mr Clegg said he wanted to see a "huge programme" of transport improvements in the North to begin immediately.

He added: “London and South East has had billions of transport investment over recent years from HS1 to Crossrail to the Northern Line extension.

"The perfectly reasonable requests I have been hearing from the North are basics that are needed if we are to create a true economic hub in the North of England."

He added that ancient rolling stock and lines that had not been upgraded in 30 years were not fit for the 21st century .

"Decrepit trains such as the Pacers, which are literally ancient buses on rails, are not a fair way for people in the North to get to and from work.

"They would not be deemed acceptable on London commuter lines, and they are not acceptable in the North."

Other proposals include making the full stretch of the M62 between Manchester and Leeds into eight lanes of so-called smart motorway.

Proposed transport improvements will be debated at the Northern Futures summit taking place in Leeds today (Thursday, November 6).

In a further announcement from the Deputy Prime Minister ahead of the summit, £10 million could be made available to improve tourism in the North.

The cash is subject to North tourism agencies working together on a joint tourism strategy.

The proposal was welcomed by Gary Verity, chief executive of tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire.

He said: "It’s great news that the Government has ring-fenced £10 million for the North of England to grow the visitor economy and we look forward to hearing the detail of how this will work."

Sarah Stewart, NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive, added: “We will be in discussion with VisitEngland about this new initiative to boost tourism in the North and clearly welcome the proposed £10 million investment from the Government to support destination marketing."