Following the news of the second leg of HS2 being scrapped on Wednesday (October 4) the government has instead announced the launch of 'Network North', with investments dubbed to improve transport and connectivity across the north of England.

In the north west, it was announced that almost £4bn in cash would be found to 'improve connectivity', including a scheme to extend the Manchester Metrolink lines to Heywood, Bolton and Wigan.

However, the government also announced that the Metrolink would be extended to Manchester Airport as a trade-off for the scrapping of HS2 - despite the fact the line already exists and was opened in November 2014.