The chancellor George Osborne and the transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin have announced plans to invest £186 million in two key roads in the north of England: the A1 at Morpeth and the A6 at Manchester.

Of this, £165 million will be used to create a link road between the A6 and Manchester Airport, to help support local residents and industries. The local authority will meet the remainder of the £232 million cost.

The remaining £21 million is set to fund part of the £30 million Morpeth Northern Bypass, which will create a 2.4 mile single carriageway as the final section of the A1 - South-East Northumberland link road. It is also hoped this will benefit the surrounding area, including Blyth and Ashington.
Mr McLoughlin said: “Our support for these two major schemes is further proof that the government is working to deliver a world-class transport network. This £186 million investment will benefit people across south Manchester, north Cheshire and Northumberland.”