Following on from the disappointing Levelling Up Fund bid submitted to government by Cheshire West and Chester Council where it failed to secure much needed investment for Winnington Bridge, I secured a meeting with the Chancellor last week to discuss this matter further.

At the time, I was told the £45 million bid was rejected due to the quality of information submitted by the council, which left too many questions unanswered.

I set out the case for two new road bridges for vehicles to the Chancellor - one fixed bridge across the Weaver, and another across the Navigation with the ability to lift to allow larger boats to pass.

I explained why the area desperately needed this updated infrastructure and asked him to look at whether we could get this Levelling Up Bid back on track and secure this money.

At the same time, I also raised the issue of transport in the constituency as a whole. I asked how the new Network North - money from the cancelled leg of HS2 - was going to work.

We know there will be a west to east rail connection built from Liverpool to Hull connecting all the great cities in the north, but I also I asked what could be done for the benefit of my constituents.

I made it very clear that I want to see the two trains per hour from Knutsford to Manchester delivered. This was something that was promised in 2016, as part of a franchise deal, but it never materialised.

I explained to the Chancellor, as I have done so with rail bosses and Northern, this project needs to be delivered.

I want to see action on this and given government’s commitment to focus on local transport projects in the north, I took the earliest opportunity available since the announcement to meet with him in person and raise this matter.

I will keep pushing for this to be delivered as I know how vital it is for our area.