Connecting the North

SIR – If the Government wishes to demonstrate that its commitment to the Northern Powerhouse is more than mere rhetoric, it should scotch any suggestion of a Channel bridge and spend the billions on upgrading the northern railway system.

At the moment the fastest journey time between York and Manchester is 1 hour and 20 minutes for a journey of 67 miles, which compares very unfavourably with the superb highspeed link to Kent, for example.

Millions of people live in the area served by Transpennine Express. In addition to the ludicrously slow journey times, increased fares and frequent late trains, they have to endure massive overcrowding and daily misery. Alistair Macdonald QC

Leeds, West Yorkshire