Chancellor George Osborne has pledged funding to support Liverpool's transport infrastructure and help to realise his goal of creating a "northern powerhouse".

Visiting the International Festival for Business in the city, the chancellor unveiled a £34.4 million transport package as part of the Atlantic Gateway project, which is establishing greater connections between Liverpool and Manchester and aims to create 250,000 jobs by 2030.

Mr Osborne announced a £10.4 million upgrade to the Halton Curve rail line to improve connectivity between Liverpool, Cheshire, Warrington and North Wales.

He pledged £5.6 million to boost accessibility and improve the safety of roads around Knowsley Industrial Park.

Some £14.4 million was allocated to improve car parking and public transport connections on the Newton-le-Willows rail interchange link to Parkside, while £4 million is to be spent on improvements to the A5300 Knowsley Expressway. 

"As a government we are backing small businesses, boosting UK exports and unlocking the potential within all parts of the country," Mr Osborne said.