A list of transport projects, including a much-trailed plan to extend the Metrolink to Bolton, was meant to be “illustrative”, the Prime Minister admitted.

Last week the government announced that after controversially scrapping the planning HS2 rail link between Manchester and London, it will now be able to spend more than £4billion on improving connectivity between Northern cities.

But Rishi Sunak’s admission that the list of projects was meant to be “illustrative” has sparked doubts over whether projects like the Metrolink extension are ever likely to become a reality.

Labour’s Bolton North East candidate Kirith Entwistle said: "The Conservatives and the local MP are taking Bolton for a ride on the promise of Metrolink.

“In 2019, Bolton was promised a Metrolink service to connect vital townships to the tram service.

The Bolton News: A Metrolink tramA Metrolink tram (Image: Newsquest)

“Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak celebrated the possibility of funding from the scrapping of HS2 for a Metro Link to Bolton, as endorsed by the local Conservative MP.

“However, the Prime Minister has now admitted that last week's promise was only 'illustrative,' and some of these projects may not happen.

“Bolton residents have waited for four long years with no progress, and it appears the Conservatives are once again raising hopes for votes without genuine intentions of connecting our town to the Metrolink."

As well as extending tram services to Bolton, the government had also claimed that they could have been extended to Heywood and Wigan.

But doubts were quickly cast over the government’s list of projects after observers noticed that this included bringing Metrolink services to Manchester Airport, which had in fact already been accomplished in 2014.

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Mr Sunak has since admitted that these were simply projects that “could be funded” rather than a definitive list of those that would be.

But he has claimed this will allow elected leaders at local level to have more control over where and how money would be spent.

Speaking BBC Radio 2 on Monday he said: “There’s a range of illustrative projects that could be funded.

He added: “But ultimately, it’s going to be local leaders who are in charge.

“Rather than Westminster politicians dictating to areas what they should do, lots of money is going to be given to local areas for them to decide on their priorities.”