IT will be the biggest transport event for Liverpool and Manchester since Stephenson’s Rocket journeyed between the two northern giants in 1830. Trains of the future taking just 20 minutes between the two cities.

It forms part of an ambitious £88bn programme, announced today, to revolutionise transport systems across the north.

It will see a new TransNorth rail system being created, along with major road improvements and improved links to major – well mainly Manchester - airports.

The plan, unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, will create the first ever comprehensive transport strategy for the region, covering roads, rail, freight, airports and smart ticketing.

But while the three "wise" men from Westminster were hopping around various cities in the north today, including Liverpool, there was no mention of where the money was coming from to pay for all of this.  A shopping list is all well and good providing there is money in the kitty.

Cynics would see it as one of the last throws of the electoral dice before the veil comes down next week with the start of pre-election purdah. That will prevent any more government pronouncements being made.

The hope is that with the strategy at least on the starting blocks, the civic leaders of the north, most of them Labour, will not let go and will go banging on the door of number 10 once the tenancy is renewed if David Cameron wins, or whoever gets the keys if he doesn’t.

The strategy will connect up the north, creating a single economy and allow northern towns and cities to pool their strengths. Plans set out in the report include: slashing journey times between major northern cities with investment in high speed rail, developing new east-west road connections including a road tunnel under the mountainous Peak District, introducing London-style Oyster-style smart travel cards and simpler fares across the north.

The blueprint is part of a government initiative to create a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ to ease pressure on the overcrowded London and South East region.

Osborne said today: “Connecting up the great cities of the north is at the heart of our plan to build a northern powerhouse. This report has the potential to revolutionise transport in the north and we will work closely with Transport for the North (TfN) to help make it a reality.”

Clegg commented: “Modernising rail in the north of England and speeding up connections between cities will encourage business, boost tourism and give commuters the transport network they deserve.”

'Far reaching'

Transport Secretary McLoughlin said no government has ever given such attention to the infrastructure of England’s great northern cities and how to deliver a world-class, integrated transport network for the north.

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the TfN Partnership Board, and leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Today marks the culmination of a huge amount of hard work to bring together a range of far-reaching transport plans which together will transform connectivity across the north of England, improving the passenger experience, boosting business and ultimately helping to rebalance the UK economy.

“We must ensure TfN delivers a north which has a vibrant and growing economy, acts as a magnet for inward investment, and which capitalises on the strengths of our great northern cities.”

The new ‘TransNorth’ rail network, with trains capable of speeds up to 140 miles per hour, will link Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull. It would reduce by almost half journey times, with services between Manchester and Liverpool taking just 20 minutes, and the longer journey from Manchester to Leeds taking 30 minutes.

The Government is also plan to steam ahead with legislation to extend HS2 as far as Crewe to enable progress on the proposed new high-speed line beyond Birmingham.

Journey times between:

Liverpool and Manchester could be as low as 20 minutes

Manchester to Sheffield and Leeds could both be 30 minutes

Leeds to Hull could be just 45

Sheffield to Hull 50 minutes