The government has been urged to back a Christmas wish list of huge upgrades to the North East’s transport.
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon has told transport secretary Grant Shapps to make good on Tory election campaign pledges and get behind “bold and ambitious” £377m plans to transform the region’s transport networks.
In a letter to Mr Shapps, Coun Gannon calls for improvements to the East Coast Main Line, the Tyne and Wear Metro , buses, and electric car infrastructure.
Coun Gannon, who chairs the North East Joint Transport Committee, wrote: "I note that a number of commitments were made during the election campaign in relation to transport in the North East and we look forward to early engagement with you to tackle together our priorities of economic growth, climate change, and improving city air quality.
"We would appreciate early confirmation of your support for our bold ambitious bid to the government's Transforming Cities Fund, as the work to start delivering infrastructure schemes needs to begin."
He added: "We also await urgent new of the government's funding for a new fleet of Metro trains so that we can promise a bright future to the system's long-suffering passengers and employees.
“We are also in desperate need of confirmation, now long overdue, of the on-going revenue and capital funding streams that underpin the operations of the Tyne and Wear Metro."
During the general election campaign, the Conservatives pledged £4.2bn of new spending on local train, bus and tram services outside London.
The region has submitted a £377m bid to the Department for Transport to help fund dramatic changes to public transport.
If successful, that money would be used to restore passenger trains to the rail line connecting Ashington, Blyth and Newcastle.
It could also fund Metro improvements that would increase train frequency, cut journey times and unlock a future expansion of the network.
Other plans include revamping railway stations in Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham, build new park and ride facilities, and enhancing cycle and walking routes.
An announcement on the outcome of the Transforming Cities bid is expected in early 2020.
A DfT spokesperson said: “As the Prime Minister has set out, investing in infrastructure across the UK is a priority for this government in order to level up access for everyone to opportunities and prosperity.
“That includes investment for transport in the North East so we can help unleash economic growth in the region.
“We’re already supporting important upgrades to the area’s public transport network, including £340 million for new trains on the Tyne and Wear Metro, new trains on the East Coast Mainline, as well as shortlisting the area to benefit from our Transforming Cities Fund, which could help strengthen links around the region.”
