High quality transport, communication and energy networks are the vital arteries of today's most successful economies - powering competitive advantage in business, reducing social isolation, and linking people to an expanding world of information, services and opportunity. Investing in efficient reliable competitive and sustainable networks is critical if we are to deliver our top priority of growing a dynamic and innovative economy.

•  Investment in the Roads Network will reduce journey times, improve safety, and provide enhanced access to our urban centres and inter-regional Gateways.

•  Investment in public transport links people to employment and education opportunities in a sustainable way, encouraging modal shift from the private car.

•  Supporting investment in our Telecoms network will ensure that the region keeps pace with developments, allowing local businesses to remain competitive and attracting inward investment.

•  Security of supply, increasing use of renewable energy sources, and cost of energy remain vital issues for the future. We will work with the economic regulator (NIAUR) and private sector energy players to address the challenges ahead.

•  We will encourage extension of the natural gas network, where it is technically possible and economically feasible to do so, to enhance diversity of fuel supply and customer choice and bring about reductions in CO2 emissions.