The railway network across the North of England is set to be significantly improved this year through the Department of Transport.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps outlined how new investment will boost the rail network in the North while visiting the site of a new £10.55 million project.

Set to be complete in May 2020, Horden Peterlee will improve connectivity for an area currently with no station over a 20 kilometre stretch. It will be served by one train per hour calling at all stations between Newcastle and Middlesbrough, and has been supported by £4.4 million from the Department for Transport's New Stations Fund.

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The government has confirmed it will establish a £500 million fund to explore reopening former routes which could benefit communities who lost vital transport connections.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "2020 will be a year of action on the railways with the north sitting at the heart of the improvements.

"Investing in new stations like Horden Peterlee will deliver more modern, reliable services for passengers. We are also ambitious to restore connections to communities who have lost out, and the Northumberland line has huge potential to deliver that.

"Our focus is levelling up infrastructure across the country, ensuring passengers see the benefit of new trains, new stations and fairer fares."

(CM/MH)