THIS week we have issued a rallying cry to readers to join us to demand what government promised us.

As part of action this week, newspapers across the region are starting a petition calling on ministers to come good on their northern powerhouse pledges – by ending the chaos on our rail services, signing off the upgrades they promised us, and redressing decades of underfunding.

Four years ago, then-Chancellor George Osborne promised unveiled his vision for a Northern Powerhouse which would join our Northern cities together with faster, modern transport connections.

So now that’s what we want.

Instead of launching a lengthy inquiry that will say what the Government should already know, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling needs to end the chaos on our rail network... NOW.

We need a fair, fit-for-purpose compensation scheme put in place within days. And we need the rest of the Northern Powerhouse that Government promised us, too: the major transport projects we were pledged, but which are now languishing on Mr Grayling’s desk.

Finally, we want fair funding – not more second-class services, while London eyes up its second high-speed CrossRail link.

With one voice, we say to the Prime Minister: You promised us a Northern Powerhouse, it’s time you delivered it.

To make sure that your voice is heard please sign our online petition at change.org which is called ‘End the Northern rail nightmare’.