Just two weeks left to provide vital feedback on public consultation into ambitious plan to tackle climate change in the North of England.
Northern residents are urged to have their say on an ambitious regional strategy to help tackle climate change through transport decarbonisation before the public consultation closes at the end of August.
Transport for the North (TfN) set out the draft Decarbonisation Strategy earlier this summer, outlining a target of near-zero carbon emissions from surface transport by 2045 – ahead of national policy.
It has already gathered considerable interest, with thousands of people across the region engaging with the strategy. Visitors to the online consultation site have spent a total of more than two weeks reading the information and submitting their feedback, and around 120 people attended live virtual events to find out more directly from the decarbonisation team at TfN.
With just two weeks to go – the consultation will close at midday on Tuesday 31 August – TfN is urging those who haven’t yet provided their response to do so now.
Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said: “The need to decarbonise our surface transport network is vital in helping to tackle the climate emergency. It’s also an economic opportunity for our region, and we must also ensure we harness the innovative green growth potential across the North to realise our ambitions.
“Our pioneering Decarbonisation Strategy sets the North’s path to net-zero, outlining our goal to reach near-zero earlier than the national plan, and demonstrating the importance of investment in transport infrastructure and technologies.
“There can be no doubt that this is a crucial issue for us all, so we encourage people to get involved and help shape the future of this important work.”
Transport for the North Members have highlighted their support for the Decarbonisation Strategy, including:
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and TfN Acting Chair: “In 2019, following consultation with residents, Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a climate emergency. We pledged to work to make the borough carbon neutral by 2045, and the Council carbon neutral by 2030.
“Delegates at the Cheshire West and Chester: Developing a World Class Location for Net Zero Growth conference heard about the potential for the Ellesmere Port Industrial Area to fast track the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution and help to achieve the UK’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.
“Transport plays a major role in these targets, we have just installed 29 new electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints to help residents, businesses and the Council to start making the switch to electric vehicles.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region: “In the Liverpool City Region, we’re committed to doing everything we can to tackle climate change, including doubling the number of green jobs in the region, going net zero carbon a decade before national targets and taking action to radically green our transport network.
“We know that we cannot tackle climate change alone, so it’s fantastic to see communities from across the North coming together to combine our efforts and do our bit. As ever, we are leading the way and setting an example for the rest of the country to follow.
“I’d encourage everybody to have your say and make sure that we are doing everything we can to make transport across the North cleaner, greener and more sustainable.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham: “If we are going to tackle the climate emergency, we need to work together and make sure we are all pulling in the same direction.
“Accelerating towards a decarbonised transport network must be at the heart of public policy making and investment decisions going forward, and I’m glad that the North is leading the way with this strategy as it will support Greater Manchester’s own ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. I would urge all residents to give their views in this consultation to shape the future of more sustainable transport and travel in the North.”
Councillor Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee: “We welcome Transport for the North’s Decarbonisation Strategy consultation and would encourage the people of the North East to get involved and have their say over the next twelve weeks.
“This strategy matches the objectives outlined in our North East Transport Plan which aims to take action to make travel in the North East net zero for carbon emissions. Transport innovation has a huge role in achieving the UK’s net zero carbon emissions commitment by 2050 and it’s right that we take steps now to address carbon emissions to benefit generations to come.”
Councillor Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council: “This is a real collaborative effort for northern cities to come together and be part of the solution in tackling how transport can be decarbonised.
“We understand that the Humber port is a leading producer of carbon, which is why we have already been looking at ways to position it as the green energy estuary of the north.
“In addition, we need to look at more radical solutions to solve this issue. This could include the electrification of the rail line into Hull, but even furthermore between the two Hull and Liverpool ports for critical freight services.
“What’s clear is that we need to consider the narrative around this, and the economic opportunities that decarbonisation can pose for businesses in the region. Decarbonisation is something that needs to be accessible to everyone.”
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access: “The County Council fully supports TfN’s proposed Decarbonisation Strategy. Our county is the largest in the country and residents often have to travel long distances just to reach destinations within North Yorkshire. That is why we support improvements in public transport whenever we can to offer alternatives to the private car.
“We also continue to expand opportunities for safe sustainable travel, and to invest in the county’s digital infrastructure to improve broadband and mobile phone reception.”
Among the potential actions and areas of focus the strategy considers are:
The final Decarbonisation Strategy will be adopted by the TfN Board this autumn and submitted to the Government as statutory advice on behalf of the region. It will form the blueprint for green transport investment in the North for the coming decades.
To find out more and respond to the consultation before midday on 31 August visit the website.
