North economy '˜needs better air links'

It argues offering more direct international flights from Manchester is key to the North’s future but can only be achieved by bringing more people within two hour journey time of the airport.

Transport for the North (TfN), the body set up by the Government to advise on the area’s transport needs, throws its weight behind recently unveiled plans for a new rail-bus connection to Leeds-Bradford Airport and a road link to the A65 and A658.

The report also suggests rail link to Robin Hood Airport could be “beneficial” and calls for better road and rail connections to Yorkshire’s ports.

TfN chairman John Cridland said: “It’s clear that the North’s ports and airports are key economic assets for the region, with nearly 40 million passengers flying from the region each year and around a third of all UK freight using Northern ports.

“Yet we know that the lack of access to and from our ports and airports is holding them back, with congestion on our roads and railways making it difficult for people and goods to reach international gateways.

“These inadequate ground transport links, coupled with not enough direct services to key international destinations, mean that passengers from the North often have to travel from Southern gateways. They also act as a disincentive from both business and leisure travellers to visit the region.

“Unlike in the South, where ports and airports are heavily congested, the North’s international gateways have unused capacity.”

The report was welcomed by former chancellor George Osborne who now chairs the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

He said: “In the years to come, the great airports and ports of the North will play an increasingly important role in driving greater levels of investment, trade and tourism into the UK and every effort must be made to ensure that they continue to grow and it is as easy as possible for passengers to access these key national assets.”