initiative to link ‘the great cities of the north’.

   It builds on the Government’s HS3 idea – high speed lines from East to
   West across the North to link with the controversial £50billion high
   speed HS2 line going from London in the South to Birmingham and then
   onto to Leeds and Manchester in the North.

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   Plans set out in the report include: slashing journey times between
   major northern cities with investment in high speed rail; developing
   new east-west road connections including a road tunnel under the peak
   district; and introducing Oyster-style smart travel cards and simpler
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     * Sheffield to Hull in 60 minutes (compared to a best time of 86
       minutes currently) through upgrading the existing route or using
       HS2 into Leeds, combined with the proposed Leeds-Hull improvements

   Mr McLoughlin is today at the Port of Liverpool’s container terminal L2
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   Chancellor Mr Osborne said: ‘This report has the potential to
   revolutionise transport in the North. ‘From backing high speed rail to
   introducing simpler fares right across the North, our ambitious plans
   for transport means we will deliver a truly national recovery where