Transport for the North (TfN) colleagues recently visited Lancashire to find out more about the exciting developments across the county, and how improved transport investment can trigger local increases in economic activity, thereby transforming the quality of life for the people in this dynamic part of the region.
TfN continues to act with ‘one voice’ for the North on strategic transport priorities – and our revised Strategic Transport Plan sets out the vision and ambition we want to see achieved with better connectivity. Listening, engaging and seeing first hand how transport infrastructure can enable economic growth, help the environment and open up more opportunities for people and places is fundamental to our work. That insight and those ‘lived experiences’ add to our evidence base and help us better make the case for investment in the North’s transport system.
In March, our Chair – Lord Patrick McLoughlin – joined partners in and around Preston, Lancashire, to gain some insight into some of the transport challenges the region faces and to better understand what is on their minds and how TfN can help. He was joined by our Strategy Director and Deputy Chief Executive, Katie Day. We caught up with Katie to find out more….
“Firstly I need to start with a thank you to the leader, members and officers from Lancashire County Council who put together such an interesting and insightful day for us. We were hosted by Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, who is Lancashire’s Council Member for Highways and Transport and also TfN’s Vice-Chair.
“We kicked off in the City of Preston, seeing the changes from recent investment to highways and public realm, and where more opportunities can be unlocked through future public transport projects like Cottam Parkway station.
“Continuing on the railway theme – slightly further afield – the volunteers at Thornton station took time to share their case for re-opening the Poulton-Fleetwood line to benefit passengers and freight.
“We also had chance to see the new A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool – which opened in March – to reduce traffic impact on the local community and improve safety by addressing a major bottleneck. The location lived up to its name!
“Travelling further North, we got to discuss the economic opportunity for the county, and especially Morecambe, that the Eden Project Morecambe can bring. Having the right public transport connectivity is vital to enable sustainable travel to and from what will be a major tourist attraction in future.
“What came through so strongly on the day was the need to work together – from local authorities, to businesses, to communities, and to delivery agencies – to decide what the outcomes are we want for the economy, the environment and for people. We are working with our partners to ensure the pan-regional outcomes set out in the Strategic Transport Plan become a reality, because we believe that together we can, and we will, transform the North.”
