Britain’s transport infrastructure has given it the “best possible tools” to properly adjust following the UK's decision to leave the European Union, according to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Delivering his first speech since the outcome of the EU Referendum, Mr McLoughlin, who backed the Remain campaign, said that Britain now faced “unpredictable times” and a period of economic, social and political adjustment, but did so from “a position of strength” and as one of the world’s strongest economies.

Brexit has left huge question marks over whether Heathrow Airport will get the go-ahead for its much-contested third runway.

But Mr McLoughlin used the speech at the Public Sector Show at London’s ExCeL Centre to suggest either Gatwick or Heathrow will receive another runway after saying the government “remains committed to [the] expansion [of] aviation capacity in the south east”.

This despite expectations that David Cameron will defer the decision to the next Prime Minister, who won't take office until October at the earliest.

McLoughlin also highlighted recent achievements such as major rail station refurbishments at Birmingham New Street and Manchester Victoria, adding that overall spending for transport will rise by 50 per cent during this parliament.

Work on the £14.8 billion Crossrail is “nearly at the finishing line” with the first trains to begin running in 2018, McLoughlin also boasted.