Improved transport links across the region are vital to economic progress, according to top counciillor Peter McBride.

Kirklees Council Cabinet member Clr McBride was speaking as concerns grow over the decision to halt planned electrification of the busy trans-Pennine rail line.

Government officials say it has been “paused”.

But now the Examiner and its sister paper, the Manchester Evening News, are calling on Chancellor George Osborne to think again on that policy and commit to the line improvements.

And we're asking you to sign our petition to get the work back on track.

MPs of all parties have insisted the improvements are essential if the much-vaunted Northern Powerhouse idea is to become a reality, devolving more power from Westminster to the region.

It's hoped that Mr Osborne may announce in his budget tomorrow- Wednesday - that the scheme is once more a priority.

Clr McBride said: “All the people who live within that triangle of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield is a very large number of people. You are talking about the heartland of manufacturing Britain.

“In addition better transport links to Liverpool and Hull, part of the northern economy, were important because these ports enjoyed key access to Hamburg and Rotterdam”.

And he said Huddersfield and Dewsbury were important parts of the northern economy thanks to “their strategic position across the Pennines.”

Huddersfield Railway Station

He said: “if the Government ignore this they are being stupid. It is crucial for Kirklees to part of the Northern Powerhouse.”

Clr McBride warned Chancellor George Osborne that ‘quick-fix’ solutions were not what was required to link conurbations effectively and added: “If we have a solution that does not include Huddersfield/Dewsbury we will not be party to anything.”

And on the HS2 proposals he said the council would support them but said: “We have a fast link to London already. The key things is fast links to Sheffield and Birmingham, two of the country’s largest cities.

“Better links to these cities are more important than the link to London. You try getting to Birmingham from Leeds, it’s not easy.”