“Faster rail links between Leeds and Manchester as priority for Government spending would be grossly ‘unfair’ on the North East, an MP has said. A new report into which regional train links the Department for Transport should invest in as part of Chancellor George Osborne’s vision for a ‘Norther Powerhouse’, has revealed that the North West would bring the greatest economic advantage. However MP for Newcastle East Nick Brown has criticised the research by Centre for Cities in their report ‘Fast Track to Growth’, for selecting regional cities which already have a financial head start. “Areas that are sustaining reasonable levels of employment like Leeds and Manchester are advantaged over the conurbations of the North East and rural communities as well. He said: “To say that their populations are high and the economy is already stronger in Leeds and Manchester so they need more investment, just doesn’t seem fair. When is it our turn?” Newcastle Chronicle 20th October 2014 Read more here.