Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve road connectivity between South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

The first Road Investment Strategy committed to an investment package worth over £170 million for existing Sheffield-Manchester connections to address safety and congestion issues, and improve journey times. Highways England has announced a preferred route which covers the:

• Mottram Moor link road;

• A57(T) to A57 link road;

• A616/A61(T) Westwood roundabout; and,

• Safety and technology improvements along the route.

The Department for Transport, in conjunction with Highways England and Transport for the North, is undertaking a study looking at the long term strategic road connection requirements to link the areas of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire to transform journeys and enhance connectivity across the southern Pennines. This includes consideration of a trans-Pennine tunnel. The study is expected to report in spring 2020.