Jobs Boost For Yorkshire Announced

29 November 2011, 18:59 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

It's thought fresh investment into transport projects in the region will create thousands of jobs.

It's thought fresh investment into transport projects in the region will create thousands of jobs.

Chancellor George Osborne's announced a raft of measures, aimed at boosting Yorkshire's economy.

Among them, the electrification of the Transpennine Express line - which'll cut times from Leeds to Manchester to just 45 minutes.

More stations and investment into the tram system are also promised, as is a halving of the toll on the Humber Bridge.

The leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Keith Wakefield welcomed the news of the Transpennine electrification, saying "This is fantastic news which will bring tens of thousands of jobs and much-welcome reductions in journey times between our two great northern industrial and economic powerhouse cities.  It has already been widely reported that such a move could bring around £6.7 billion improvement in the region’s productivity and it would also provide many direct benefits to Leeds and its people.
This electrification could form a hub for future expansion of electrified lines into Calderdale and other areas."