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<p>Ensuring our infrastructure remains fit for purpose and adapts to the country’s
changing needs remains vital for our society and the economy to flourish. Our road
and rail networks unlock a host of social and economic benefits, including access
to education, jobs, healthcare, retail and leisure. The second Road Investment Strategy
is investing £24 billion in the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of
England’s strategic road network to secure safer and more reliable journeys that have
less impact on communities and places. This is a substantial package, which will benefit
all strategic roads including those in Yorkshire such as the A63 Castle Street in
Hull and the M621 near Leeds.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing more than £35 billion
in rail over the current Spending Review period, including rail enhancements and vital
renewals to improve passenger journeys and connectivity across the country, focusing
on the Midlands and the North. Furthermore, we have recently published our Integrated
Rail Plan, a £96 billion programme to transform services in the Midlands and the North
and which included £100 million development funding to look at the best way to take
HS2 trains to Leeds including capacity at Leeds Station, and to start work on the
West Yorkshire Mass Transit System.</p><p> </p><p>We are also providing up to £50,000
each from the third round of the Restoring Your Railways Ideas Fund to develop three
early-stage proposals to reinstate passenger rail links between Beverley & York,
Stocksbridge & Sheffield Victoria (Don Valley Line) and on the Askern Branch Line;
£137 million for the Hope Valley line to deliver more capacity and improve connectivity
between Sheffield and Manchester and; a share of £15 million from the New Stations
Fund to build new stations at White Rose and Thorpe Park in Leeds.</p><p> </p>
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