Our review of 2023 takes a look back at some of the work we achieved as we continued making the case for the strategic connectivity needs across the North of England.
Together with our partners we continue to speak as one voice to Government about what the North needs, using our extensive evidence base and local knowledge.
With only a matter of days until we usher in 2024, it’s traditional to look back over the year nearly passed. This retrospective review of the last 12 months shows a snippet of our work. There is plenty to be proud of, and there is much to celebrate.
Here is our review of 2023.
The new year started off with us publishing our International Connectivity and Aviation policy paper which highlighted the potential of Northern gateways. The report called for maximising the full potential of our ports and airports, as essential to growing the North’s economy.
The policy paper built on TfN’s previous policy on International Connectivity which highlighted the importance of aviation and shipping in supporting the transformation of economic performance in the North and close the productivity gap with other parts of UK.
We announced our media partners – Chronicle Live, The Journal and Teesside Live – ahead of our fourth annual conference in Newcastle in March.
Helen Dalby, Audience and Content Director for Reach’s publications across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region, said: “I’m delighted that Chronicle Live, The Journal and Teesside Live will be involved in supporting and publicising this important conference to discuss the region’s transport needs and priorities in 2023 and beyond.
“Our regional newspapers have previously joined forces with other titles in our wider region to campaign on the vital matter of the investment needed in the North’s transport network, and it’s our belief that the North East deserves rhetoric to be replaced with reality to give our cities, towns and rural communities the connections they so urgently need to be economically competitive.”
We held our fourth annual conference in Newcastle as new figures revealed the northern economy could produce one million extra jobs by 2050.
Under the theme of “Transform the North”, TfN’s conference highlighted the initial findings from its updated Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review (NPIER). The review examines how poor investment in infrastructure is currently holding back the Northern economy and how it could be refitted to help power the UK economy in the decades ahead.
Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, also responded to the announcement that the Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 will be delayed by two years.
In April we asked our Head of Decarbonisation, Peter Cole ‘what will it take to decarbonise transport?’.
He outlined two key elements needed as a starting point: data and inclusivity, because decarbonisation won’t happen ‘to’ people – it requires behaviour change that for the most part will be locally led.
The decarbonisation of the transport sector lies at the heart of global and national ambitions to combat climate change and, reach net zero. Through our Transport Decarbonisation Strategy, we’re committing to a regional near-zero carbon surface transport network by 2045.
To achieve our region’s ambitious decarbonisation goal, we need a clear understanding of the policies and measures required to bridge the gap between the expected levels of future emissions, and the targets for future emissions.
We launched a 12-week statutory-consultation for our revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for the North of England. The Plan sets out the case to transform the North’s transport system. It will be used to shape our advice to government on the transport priorities for the North of England.
The updated STP will form the blueprint for ensuring that economic investment will also decarbonise our transport system and create more opportunities in the North for the coming decades.
In June there was a huge celebration as we scooped the “Research Initiative of the Year” award at the prestigious 2023 CIHT Awards ceremony. TfN was recognised for our work on transport-related social exclusion (TRSE) in the North of England which found that more than three million people in the North are at risk of social exclusion, as a result of poor transport services.
TRSE means being unable to access opportunities, key services, and community life as much as needed, and facing major obstacles in everyday life through the wider impacts of having to travel. Our research tells us that high levels of car dependency is the key driver of TRSE in the North.
To help combat TRSE, Transport for the North and its partners across the North have developed a Connecting Communities Strategy – the first regional strategy for achieving a more effective, equal, and inclusive transport system for all. Significantly reducing transport-related social exclusion is also one of the three strategic ambitions at the core of TfN’s revised Strategic Transport Plan.
The Rail North Committee (RNC) also announced the election of a new Chair, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and majority group Vice Chair, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe Leader of Bradford Council.
The Rail North Committee advises the Transport for the North Board on rail services and infrastructure improvements and all matters relating to rail franchise and contract management in the Rail North area.
As Chair, Mayor Burnham oversees the strategic direction of the Committee, with the support of Vice Chairs from the majority and minority groups on the board.
July began with the announcement that our proposal on devolving transport policy to the regions and developing a national transport strategy, would form part of The Transport Committee’s future inquiry into Strategic Transport Objectives. TfN shared with the Committee ideas on how to plan, develop and deliver public investment both in infrastructure and services.
Elsewhere, The Department for Transport also agreed to re-examine its decision to exclude Bradford from improvements under Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2.
Responding to the announcement Lord McLoughlin, said: “This is a welcome announcement by the Government and a helpful step in the right direction.
“Transport for the North has long called for the initial decision of the Integrated Rail Plan to be re-examined and the evidence base re-assessed.”
The public consultation on our revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for the North of England closed.
The final Strategic Transport Plan is due to be published in early 2024 and will lay the foundations for the transport infrastructure investment for the North for decades to come.
At its core, is a clear vision for the North’s transport network, supported by three strategic ambitions: transforming economic performance, rapid decarbonisation of the transport network and significantly reducing transport related social exclusion.
At our Board meeting in Leeds, TfN reaffirmed its position that both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) projects are critical to the economy of the region.
The message from leaders from across the North of England was clear: build HS2 and NPR now. They said any further delay would cost the national economy even more and fail to address the poor connectivity that has held the North back for decades.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also joined the meeting, and he backed the call by the region’s political and business leaders. He further added: “The success of the North is crucial to London’s success.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed plans to cancel the leg of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester in his keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference but said that ‘every penny’ of the planned £36 billion leg would instead be spent on key infrastructure.
Responding to the Government’s decision, Lord McLoughlin, said: “The cancelling of the northern leg of HS2 is naturally disappointing.
“It’s undeniable that this will be seen by many as a missed opportunity for the region, and the country as a whole.”
In the same month, independent passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch published their objections on proposed ticket office closures.
We were pleased that plans to close ticket offices would not be taken forward as we believe ticket office staffing should be looked at only as part of a wider review of stations, which takes in pay-as-you-go, retail and other services.
Done correctly, we can ensure that reform supports growth and the needs of all passengers. But it must not be to the disadvantage of any station users, especially in regard to accessibility and safety.
We also launched our Connected Mobility Strategy for the North, aimed at supporting simple and seamless journeys for the region.
Connected Mobility is the ability for different modes of transport to communicate seamlessly with each other to improve the reliability and affordability of passenger journeys, by allowing integrated payment methods, ticketing and journey planning.
We were delighted to collaborate on Bridging the Gap report by Stantec and DecarboN8 who used our Future Travel Scenarios to model decarbonisation options for places.
It helped inform a new approach towards a better understanding of how to shape the radical change needed to meet NetZero.
We welcomed the Government’s investment in the TransPennine Route Upgrade corridor as it will improve journey times, reliability, capability and capacity between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds.
Our Board agreed the level of cancellations by Avanti West Coast are too high and overall current levels of service being provided is inadequate and unacceptable. The Board agreed to issue proposals as statutory advice to the Transport Secretary.
They also proposed the declassification of First-Class carriages on Avanti West Coast with immediate effect, given the high demand during the festive period and until an adequate service is restored in the New Year.