Barbara has criticised the Conservative-led Government for lack of investment in vital rail and road services in the North West. Figures published this week show that residents in London benefit from investment levels which are 9 times higher than for people living in the North West.

London residents benefit to the tune of £5,426 per head, with major Government investment in the Crossrail project and improvements to the Tube network. When investment in the decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear plant is removed from the figures, residents living in the North West receive only £599 investment per head.

Barbara said:

“It makes me angry that so little Government investment comes to the North West while so much is being spent on transport and other projects in the London area. I have campaigned with local people to get much-needed investment in our rail services through Walkden and Eccles, but little is ever done by this Government.

“Our trunk roads and motorways are badly congested and we also suffer from poor air quality from the pollution from traffic queuing on our roads. Investment in rail services and roads would also help boost employment in Salford and the North West. It is time the Conservative-led Government invested in the North West and other areas outside London and I will keep pressing them to do that.”