This week I joined a group of North East MPs to urge Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to call an urgent meeting about much-needed investment in the ailing Metro system.

The regular disruption Metro users are suffering while going to work, or travelling around the region, highlights just how badly investment is needed -; particularly in replacing the near 40-year-old fleet of trains.

As the Echo reported earlier this month, Sunderland will receive upwards of £1.3 billion investment in the coming years to regenerate our city.

To fully benefit from this investment and for Sunderland to fulfil its potential, it is critical that our public transport, including the Metro system, is fit for purpose.

In 2016, six times more was spent on transport in London per head of population compared with the North East.  This cannot be allowed to continue.  The needs of Metro users in Sunderland and the wider region must not be ignored by the Tory Government any longer.