NEWS that the Chancellor's Budget announcements today includes millions for West Yorkshire transport plans have been welcomed - although concerns have been raised that it did not include spending on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The £7.4m allocated by the Chancellor to West Yorkshire to develop its transport plans will help develop a multi billion pound mass transit plan for the region - which will link major towns and cities.

A public consultation on the huge proposal is currently ongoing.

But the budget included little mention of the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail - a high speed rail line that would include a stop in the centre of Bradford.

Responding to today's Budget statement, Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “The £7.4m announced to help develop our transport plans, including a new mass transit system for West Yorkshire, is a welcome step forward.

Multi billion pound mass transit system to link up West Yorkshire

“It was disappointing that in a Budget setting the course for the UK’s recovery that there was no commitment to the delivery of HS2 in full, Northern Powerhouse Rail with a new line connecting Leeds and Manchester through Bradford City Centre and the full upgrade of the Transpennine line, which are critical to our region’s long-term future.

"I hope the Government will use the forthcoming Integrated Rail Plan to give certainty to these projects.

“Improving transport connections, particularly for our most disadvantaged communities, will be key to accelerating our region’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. We need clarity from Government on the future funding of bus services as support provided through the pandemic is withdrawn.”