THE north of England needs a ‘pipeline’ of aspirational ideas that would transform its economy and public infrastructure if it is to compete with the south for future investment, a think tank has argued.

IPPR North, a research body that promotes the interests of the north, has put together a Great North Plan calling for a reform of the way investment decisions are made in the UK.

The organisation said that if funding of public infrastructure projects is to be rebalanced equally across the country, instead of being focused on the capital, the regions need to compete with ambitious and attractive proposals.

To highlight the potential for ideas IPPR North held two public competitions urging young people and industry experts to come up with radical ideas that could change the way people live by the middle of the century.

Vacuum trains linking the north with New York and solar powered roads were among the more ambitious long-term proposals put forward in the under-25s competition.

Other ideas, under the George Stephenson Prize for economically sound proposals by infrastructure experts, included ‘One North’, a 15 year, £15bn plan to connect Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool with interconnected air, port and rail hubs.

Another well-received proposal was the idea of a Pennines National Park to attract tourism and jobs as well as completing the clear-up of an area ravaged by former industry.

The prospectus put together by IPPR North notes: “Our creaking national infrastructure is not fit for the 21st century. The UK has tended to under-invest in major infrastructure networks, particularly beyond the capital.

“To continue to under-invest generally, and to invest disproportionately in weaker economic regions, can only lead to increased economic dependency on London.

“The urgent needs of northern infrastructure need to be spelled out in greater clarity and pegged to major transformative infrastructure ideas to drive investment where it is needed.

“This would enable great northern ideas to compete with the other major projects already sitting on desks in Whitehall.”

Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, said: “The Chancellor has given every indication that he will announce significant infrastructure investment for the north of England in his forthcoming Autumn Statement.

“This is most welcome but the north needs a pipeline of proposals for future investment that not only ensure on-going investment, but also shape the kind of economy the north of England needs to become.”