THE announcement of £589million to upgrade the main rail route between Manchester and Leeds has been welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire County councils’ growth bosses.

The government also launched a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council to kickstart the improvement of region’s strategic road and rail links.

Cllr Michael Green, the county council’s economic development boss, said: “This major investment in rail in the North is very welcome, along with the commitment from the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to accelerate further improvements to modernise the region’s infrastructure.

“I believe this upgrade to the TransPennine main line strengthens our case for making improvements to east-west links a priority for any future investment, to support regeneration in East Lancashire and ensure the significant benefits of its contribution to the economy can be fully realised.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen’s growth boss, said: “I think this is good news and shows the government recognises the region’s needs, but there is a duty now to ensure East Lancashire receives its share of the benefits from these changes and new cash.”