Network Rail has outlined potential transport upgrades in Manchester, which will form part of its ambitious 'Northern Hub' project.

The company wants to radically enhance rail services in the north of England and Manchester's Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations will be central to the plans.

By expanding these two sites, the firm believes the number of passenger services travelling through the city will rise from ten an hour to 14. The works will also enable two freight trains to pass through Manchester every 60 minutes.

Network Rail is planning to spend around £37 billion on railway upgrades between 2014 and 2019 across the UK. The Northern Hub development alone is expected to deliver economic benefits of £4 billion.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The Northern Hub will bring massive improvements to rail services across the north-west and support the economy of the city, the wider region and indeed the whole of northern England."

The plans have been unveiled to stakeholders and a public consultation is set to be launched.