Editors have issued a fresh plea for better transport on their patch after their titles signed up to become official media partners at a forthcoming conference.

Reach plc’s dailies The Chronicle and The Journal, as well as the Teesside Gazette, have announced the partnership with Transport for the North.

TfN, launched in 2018 to make the case for strategic transport improvements across the North of England, will hold its fourth annual conference in Newcastle next month.

Newspapers across the North have united on multiple occasions in recent years to call for better transport infrastructure on their patches.

Chronicle eidtor Sophie Barley, pictured, said: “Chronicle Live is proud to be part of Transport for the North’s conference.

“We play an important role in the North-East community that we serve, and we hope that this partnership can help support and amplify the voices of those living and working in the North to ensure transport is more accessible, inclusive and sustainable as part of the government’s wider levelling up agenda.”

Journal editor Graeme Whitfield added: “It’s great to have Transport for the North’s conference in Newcastle.

“A better transport system for the North-East is one of the factors that is constantly mentioned to me by business leaders as a route that could help unlock the region’s economic potential.

“I’m looking forward to hearing what regional leaders have to say and how we can keep the pressure on the Government to provide us with the infrastructure we so badly need.”

And Gazette editor Ian McNeal said: “The issue of transport remains central to efforts to develop the Teesside economy and we are proud to support Transport for the North’s conference

“Whether it’s improving train links, delivering improvements to bus services or securing road upgrades it’s essential that this issue remains in the spotlight to bring about much-needed benefits to people across our area.”