THE newly-elected metro mayors from City of Liverpool and Greater Manchester are calling on party leaders to pledge their support for an improved rail link in the North West.

Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham will ask Theresa May and Tim Farron to match the commitment given by Labour to prioritise a ‘Crossrail for the north’ ahead of London’s proposed ‘Crossrail 2’ scheme.

The plans would mean ‘radically’ improving the West to East rail link connecting the main urban centres of the north.

A proposed link from Liverpool to Hull has been championed by political and business leaders.

Mr Rotheram said: “Liverpool and Manchester built the world’s first ever passenger railway nearly 200 years ago, and there is a compelling logical and economic case for better and faster connectivity between the two cities.

“We desperately need additional capacity and better infrastructure if we are going to realise the full potential of our two great cities and create an urban economy with the critical mass to balance London.

“This is a vital piece of investment for the wider region and for our country as a whole.”

The metro mayors will focus on the economic potential of the proposed improvements between Liverpool and Manchester and how they can connect the region’s two airports.

Mr Burnham said: “The Government has promised a Northern Powerhouse but the road and rail systems of the north are creaking.

“Lack of infrastructure is holding back our economy and we have waited long enough for transport investment.

“We cannot have a Northern Powerhouse without significant investment in our rail infrastructure.

“We’re demanding a commitment from all of the main parties to build HS2 together with west to east rail links; we need Crossrail for the North before investment in Crossrail 2 for London.

“Whoever wins the election should commit to building these projects as a single, integrated scheme.

“This is the only way we can ensure we release the development potential for the North West.”