THE North needs a “fair crack of the whip” when it comes to spending on major infrastructure projects.
The GMB union said reports that Chancellor George Osborne could give the green light to billions of pounds worth of funding for the Crossrail 2 project in London further highlighted the gap between North and South.
It came up with a wish list of projects that needed funding including
:: Dualling of the A1 to the Scottish Borders where elements north of Newcastle are currently in parts single lane
:: Dualling of A66, A69, A189 trunk roads
:: Regeneration of massive brownfield sites across the region
:: Extension of theTyne and Wear Metro to Durham, taking in Washington and re-opening the mothballed Leamside railway line.
Billy Coates, the GMB’s Northern regional secretary, said: “People in the North need a fair crack of the whip.
“The next major infrastructure spending has to be in the North. London and the South-East cannot hog all the investment.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said no decision had been taken on Crossrail 2.
However she said investment in such schemes had also benefitted regions outside of London, including the North, by creating jobs and opportunities across the UK supply chain.
The spokeswoman added: “This one nation government is determined to close the economic gap between North and South and making transport better is central to our plans for a Northern Powerhouse.
“That is why we are investing £13bn in transforming the North’s transport links and building the infrastructure the region needs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here