Local authorities in Derby & Nottingham, Leicester City, the North East, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and West Yorkshire will now work up schemes to bid for funding.

This is the second tranche of the £1.7 bn Transforming Cities Fund.

Previously funding went to six mayoral combined authorities to deliver schemes such as the Brierley Hill tram lines extension in the West Midlands and £160m towards the Beeline Cycle Network in Greater Manchester.

This is set to be the largest cycle network of its kind in the UK. The proposal for 1,000 miles of interlinked bike and pedestrian lanes will connect communities across its 10 boroughs.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “These 10 areas now have the chance to transform their transport systems – making it easier for people to get around and enhance links to work, school or shops.”

The ten shortlisted city regions will each receive an initial £50,000 as well as bespoke support from government to co-develop the strongest cases for investment.

While the city regions finalise proposals, £60m from the Fund will be made available over the next year to share across transport schemes aimed at tackling head-on some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities.