The Department of Transport has announced new contracts for two rail franchises in the north of England, leading to the promise of widespread improvements.

Arriva Rail North Ltd have been awarded the Northern Rail franchise while First Trans Pennine Express Ltd have been given the TransPennine Express.

The new deals will see the introduction of 500 new carriages to railways in the north and will provide over 2,000 extra services a week.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said “As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life”.

Other promises in the announcement include:

• Room for 40,000 extra passengers at the busiest times

• Free Wi-Fi on TransPennine Express services and stations by July 2018, and on Northern Rail services and 36 stations by December 2019

• £55m of investment to improve stations

• A new direct Liverpool to Glasgow service from December 2018

• Additional services from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh from December 2017

• Doubling the number of Manchester to Newcastle services, and running more daily services to Hull from Manchester and Leeds, both from December 2017.