A huge gulf in Government transport spending between Yorkshire and the South-East is “simply wrong” campaigners said today.

The county receives only seven per cent of funding for capital projects compared with 29 per cent for London and 17 per cent for the South-East.

Bradford Council’s regeneration and economy portfolio holder, Councillor David Green, said Government investment had to be stepped up if the district is to realise its ambitions for vast improvements to its transport network.

He said spending cuts imposed on the Council mean its medium and long-term transport schemes need to be reviewed.

The North-South divide figures, extracted from official Treasury statistics, have been highlighted by the Campaign for High Speed Rail, which wants Government backing for 250mph trains from London to the North.

David Begg, the campaign’s director, said in Yorkshire, transport spending is 81 per cent of the England average per head, compared with 197 per cent in London and 91 per cent in the South-East.

Mr Begg said: ‘‘These new figures demonstrate once and for all the dire need to re-balance investment in essential transport infrastructure across the UK.

‘‘For too long, the North has suffered as governments have had their head turned by London and the South-East.

‘‘This is a compelling reason for investment in high speed rail, to boost jobs, attract economic investment and rebalance the economy of the country to benefit communities and families for generations to come.’’ Coun Green agreed that Yorkshire had been unfairly treated in transport funding.

He said: “If the Government is serious about supporting regional economies out of the recession the first thing it needs to do is invest in transport to encourage businesses and create jobs. The level of funding Bradford gets speaks for itself. The cuts which have come through mean we have to seriously review some of the longer and medium term scheme that have not yet been committed to.”

He said Bradford’s biggest transport challenges were numerous.

“We have the Bingley relief road and it’s merely moved the pinching points down the valley and that’s affecting access for businesses in Keighley, Shipley and Bingley.

“We need to improve links to the airport in terms of roads and public transport – I would love to see a rail link from the airport into Bradford and Leeds – and the city centre highway system so that the free traffic doesn’t have to go through the city centre.

“The integrated transport authority needs to deliver on the quality bus contract so we can ensure that bus providers are providing the services for the people of Bradford rather than looking at the bottom line for shareholders.’’