TRAFFORD residents are set to benefit from a raft of changes to transport across the north under plans unveiled in a new government report.

Transport for the North (TfN) released the report, entitled “The Northern Powerhouse: One Agenda, One Economy, One North", setting out plans to improve rail and road networks.

The changes will see simpler rail fares introduced and travel times between cities reduced, with travel to Liverpool taking 20 minutes and to Leeds or Sheffield taking 30 minutes.

Leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese said: “Our vision is for a North which has a vibrant and growing economy, acts as a magnet for inward investment, and which capitalises on the strengths of the great cities of the North.”

Sir Richard, who is also chairman of the TfN Partnership Board, added: “Our cities are individually strong, and increasingly have the tools to grow, but by working together they can be stronger than the sum of their parts.

“But what is absolutely vital is securing long-term, cross-party support around our investment plans which run for at least the next 15 years, and the delivery can't change with every election.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Creating a ‘northern powerhouse’ of jobs, investment and prosperity, is a key objective of the Government’s long term economic plan.

“We are planning for transport and growth in a new joined-up way.”

Increasing the links between cities is a significant part of the report, with a new rail link between Manchester and Sheffield being considered to follow a proposed new road route including a tunnel.

“Today we set out a comprehensive strategy for the northern economy which will help the north pool its strengths.

“Transport for the North gives the north a powerful new voice.”

The plan also includes the conversion the M62 to Leeds and the M6 between Knutsford and Stoke-on-Trent to the ‘smart motorway’ format, and improving connections with Manchester Airport.