BORIS Johnson has been urged to “turn years of Northern Powerhouse rhetoric into reality” after it emerged London is set to receive seven times more transport investment per person than the North-East.
Analysis of the Government's transport spending by think-tank IPPR North shows, unless investment in the Northern Powerhouse goes ahead, the capital will receive £3,636 per person, compared with £519 in the North-East and £511 in Yorkshire, over the next 15 years.
The findings also reveal that if the North had seen the same per person investment as London over the last decade, it would have received £66bn more.
Luke Raikes, senior research fellow at IPPR North, said Mr Johnson must "finally deliver on promises made to the North", whilst Middlesbrough MP and shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the region was being "held back by Government under-investment".
The IPPR report, published today, aims to show the "true extent of underfunding in Northern transport infrastructure" by analysing the Government’s planned infrastructure projects between now and 2033.
It also shows spending increased by two-and-a-half times more per person in London than in the North in the last decade.
IPPR North has also recommended that Phase 2 of HS2 must begin in the North so that Northern Powerhouse Rail can be accelerated using its infrastructure.
Mr McDonald said: "The North is held back by Government under-investment in transport and a lack of powers over public transport, including poor rail connectivity and cuts to bus services.
"Labour will build a Crossrail for the North and deliver powers and funding for bus services to close the North-South divide in transport."
Mr Raikes said: “These figures show that the Prime Minister must urgently follow through on his promises to invest in northern transport infrastructure and devolve power to the North.
“The Northern Powerhouse agenda could benefit people across the country. Northern transport infrastructure is a national priority.
“The upcoming spending review offers a real opportunity for the Government to turn years of Northern Powerhouse rhetoric into reality, and to finally deliver on promises made to the North.”
A Government spokesperson said: "We do not recognise these misleading figures - we're spending more on transport per person in the North than anywhere else.
"We are committed to reversing decades of under-investment in northern transport including providing a record £13bn by 2020."
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