He also announced an Independent Affordability Review to look at the cost and value for money of delivering the major Crossrail 2 scheme in London. Mike Gerrard, former managing director of Thames Tideway Tunnel, has agreed to lead the review, which will report back in the summer.

While work is underway on the key route between Manchester, Leeds and York, Grayling said he expected Network Rail to begin investing the wider rolling programme of Transpennine works as soon as possible.

“Network Rail has already begun detailed designs, and provided us with options for the Transpennine Route Upgrade to meet the objectives we’ve set out – for journey times, capacity and reliability,” he said.

The Transport Secretary also said he will work with local authorities along the Transpennine route to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the £3bn investment, such as creating new stations to increase access to the railway and finding opportunities for housing development.