Doubt over promised cash for North transport plans

TWO major transport projects in the North of England have been thrown into doubt after Rachel Reeves failed to commit to funding pledges made by the previous Conservative government.

- GEORGE LYTHGOE and DANIEL HOLLAND

The restoration of Tyne Bridge in Newcastle and plans to improve one of the UK's most congested motorway junctions near Manchester were both notably absent from the new Labour Chancellor's first budget.

In both cases, the government has said that the projects are now being reviewed by the Department for Transport, raising concerns that the schemes could face lengthy delays.

Last year, Conservative PM Rishi Sunak made a pledge to complete funding for the £41.4m restoration of Tyne Bridge, using around £6m of funding which had been earmarked for the scrapped northern leg of HS2.