“From the M66 to Route 66 by 10.30 next day” is the promise to northern businesses made by FedEx, which is to expand its operations in Manchester by starting its first direct express freight flight from the region to the US.

Good news for Ramsbottom, Lancashire, where the less-celebrated of those two highways reaches its northern end after only eight miles. It is also a vote of confidence by the US transportation company in the economic prospects of the wider north-west.