Chancellor confirms major investment in rail schemes

THE CHANCELLOR George Osborne has been setting out his plans for capital investment in railways and roads, as part of his autumn spending statement in the House of Commons.

He told MPs that efficient transport systems are essential to the economy, and unveiled a National Infrastructure Plan which contains more than 500 individual projects covering railways, roads and airports.

The electrification of the northern TransPennine route is confirmed, and Mr Osborne has referred to more tram capacity as well as an accelerated upgrade of Tyne & Wear Metro.

The East West link between Oxford and Bedford is also to go ahead, as is the extension of the Northern Line of London Underground to Battersea, which Mr Osborne said alone could create more than 20,000 jobs.

He has referred to support for sleeper services between London and Scotland, but no details are available yet.

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