The Prime Minister has been urged to deliver on his pre-election promises for the North of England after a resounding victory for his Conservative party in the national vote.

Residents in many traditional Labour heartlands across the north have elected a Tory MP for the first time in decades, meaning the party now has an unusually-large number of MPs in industrial heartlands.

Today, Transport for the North’s Chief Executive Barry White said: “The North has – rightly – been a key battle ground in this election, with pledges made on improving our transport and creating opportunities. Now is the time to advance that Northern agenda in the national interest. The Prime Minister must now deliver.

“We’ve been encouraged by promises to fully commit to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and invest in our strategic and local roads. That, and tackling the challenge of making our networks greener and more inclusive, will be critical in the coming months and years.

“There are big decisions ahead that will change the fabric of the North – not least how our railways are run and delivery of HS2. We stand ready, on behalf of the North, to work with Boris Johnson and the new Government to ensure the much-needed investment is delivered to help rebalance the UK economy.”

Roger Marsh, chairman of the NP11 Board and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “On behalf of the NP11 I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister on his election. Now we have a Government, it is more critical than ever that the Manifesto for the North remains firmly on the national agenda so that we can ensure the North can deliver for our country.

“As we move on from Brexit, NP11 and the Convention for the North have set out a roadmap to rebalance the UK’s overcentralised economy. With the support of our businesses, Northern leaders of all political stripes, and Government, we will continue to make the case for levelling-up investment to this region and focusing especially on connectivity, trade, and the North’s role in leading a green industrial revolution."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: "Before the election, government were close to doing a deal with us in the Leeds City Region for devolution of more funding and powers to our region. Our longer term ambition is One Yorkshire but in the short term I expect the PM now to deliver on that commitment and get devo done.

"Similarly, Bradford was one of the key cities involved in drawing up the Manifesto for the North published just before the election. That was clear about the need for investment in skills and transport. Anyone who travels by public transport knows that after 10 years of Tory rule, our transport connectivity desperately needs investment.

"Northern Powerhouse has to be more than just a strap line."