There has also been growth in the service sectors and public administration, education and health. More than 268 million has been invested in the North East's telecommunications network over the last five years. Trunk roads link the main conurbations, providing ready access to the countryside and routes to Scotland in the North, Yorkshire to the South and Cumbria in the West. Public transport systems include the Metro light rail system on Tyneside, soon to be extended to Sunderland. The regions' two major airports, Newcastle and Teesside , are both undergoing rapid expansion.
Regular ferries provide access to much of northern Europe across the North Sea.
The region enjoys relatively limited traffic congestion, and unlike many parts of the United Kingdom still has many quiet roads and walking routes. The large cities and towns of North East England offer a varied range of attractions. Newcastle, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Gateshead provide excellent nightlife, shopping, eating out and leisure facilities. The region has a number of venues for theatre, dance, music, comedy and opera. Some of the region's many other attractions include Catherine Cookson Country in South Tyneside, the Captain Cook Museum in Marton, Middlesbrough, and the award winning Beamish Museum in County Durham.