TRANSPORT bosses have welcomed a new transport plan for the North West.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) welcomed the One North report developed by a coalition of key Northern cities.

The report was presented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne and HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins on Tuesday.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said:“Improving the ease with which people and businesses can travel from across the county and delivering better connections between northern cities will provide a significant boost to the economy not just of those cities but the whole of the north.

Cllr Fender said the report would help Northern cities rebalance the nation's economy and the degree to which it could be delivered made clear.

He explained: “Faster trains, clearer motorways, better connections between trains and trams and easier access to ports and airports will all help to deliver this change, but we cannot do it alone.

“We’ve built the foundations, we’ve planted the seeds, but that what we now need is a commitment from government that will enable us to build on our achievements and reap the considerable benefit not just for Greater Manchester or the north, but the entire UK economy."