article_snippet: But sceptical rail unions dismissed the Government’ ideas to boost transport in the North as: ‘yet more pie-in-the-sky nonsense’.
article_snippet: The new Government plans are part of the Chancellor’s ‘ Northern Powerhouse initiative to link ‘the great cities of the north’.
article_snippet: Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin (left) has backed the investment but Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, (right) claimed it was just more 'pie-in-the-sky nonsense'
article_snippet: The Chancellor George Osborne (above) claimed The report by the Government and the regional quango Transport for the North had the potential to revolutionise transport in the North .
article_snippet: Transport Secretary McLoughlin Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Transport Secretary McLoughlin and Northern city leaders are backing the first ‘Northern Transport Strategy’ report following work by Network Rail work on rail improvement options.
article_snippet: A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘the first ‘Northern Transport Strategy’ report following work by Network Rail work on rail improvement options sets out a long term strategy to connect up the North, create a single economy and allow northern towns and cities to pool northern towns and cities strengths.
article_snippet: Mr McLoughlin said: ‘No government has given such attention to the infrastructure of No government great northern cities and how to deliver a world-class, integrated transport network for the North.
article_snippet: Chancellor Mr Osborne said: ‘The report by the Government and the regional quango Transport for the North has the potential to revolutionise transport in the North.
article_snippet: From backing high speed rail to introducing simpler fares right across the North, No government ambitious plans for transport means No government will deliver a truly national recovery where every part of the country will share in
article_snippet: Britain’s prosperity.
article_snippet: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: ‘All of this will ensure the North can race ahead in a stronger economy and doesn't become one big bottleneck.
article_snippet: But Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "This is yet more pie-in-the-sky nonsense from the Government on the so called Northern Powerhouse when in reality transport services across the region in the real world are lumped with clapped-out, overcrowded trains with any replacement programme light years off.