Ashley Johnson, assistant secretary of Bean Residents' Association, said the group would have liked to have seen a link between the opening of the extension and road works.

BBC: Bluewater road work cash 'may not help'

The controversial link from London to Birmingham is projected to be completed by 2026, with the extension to Manchester ready by 2033.

BBC: Redditch branch line capacity could be increased

This will enable long-stalled projects to be built at last, such as a new east-west rail link (CrossRail) and an extension of the Docklands light railway to London's City Airport.

ECONOMIST: British election briefing: Transport