NORTHERN political and business leaders have joined together calling for Government investment to make the promise of a “Northern Powerhouse” a reality.

Delegates at the Northern Transport Summit in Leeds were discussing the need for a 21st century transport system to link northern cities.

Today's event was held after a series of rail links in the North, Wales and Midlands were downgraded last month at the same time the Government was announcing its backing for a new £30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme in London.

This is on top of a £15bn Crossrail scheme currently underway in the capital and due to open in December next year.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council Leader and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said after the meeting: “Today was a really good example of how northern business and civic leaders are increasingly coming together to make our voice heard about the need for more transport investment in the north.

“The growth potential is huge in places like Bradford and it was good to speak with Andy Burnham, who led the event, about how all the great cities of the north can join together to make the case to Government.”

Among the speakers was Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham who also urged the Government to “play your part of the bargain” in the promised Northern Powerhouse.

He said: “We are patriotic people in the North. We are proud of our capital city. We want it to have a 21st century transport system but it is not too much to ask the same for ourselves.

“The truth is we are London-centric as a nation. Too centralised. Devolution in the region is beginning and I think this could be a change for the better but it is up to us to grab the opportunity and fill that space with our passion to improve the North of England. To improve the prospects of life chances of people who live here.

But Mr Burnham said partnership with Government was essential, adding: “Because we can’t do it on our own. We will do our bit and will get our own act together.

“The message should go out today that the North is getting organised and we are getting serious. It is not a threatening message. It is about saying to the Government ‘now you play your part of the bargain’.

“We will develop a plan. We are going to need your backing to make it real. After all, you did promise us a Northern Powerhouse.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling caused an uproar among delegates by arguing that while improving northern transport links was one of his “biggest priorities” they must be “designed and managed by the North itself”.

Attendees claimed it was an “abdication of responsibility” by the minister while others said his remarks showed “quite clearly his particular contempt for the North of England.

The summit called on the Government to honour in full commitments already given to deliver improvements to rail services across the North, prioritise its manifesto commitment to deliver new west-east rail infrastructure across the region and to set out a fairer distribution of transport funding across the country.