The North’s political and business leaders met in Manchester today (14 December) for Transport for the North’s (TfN) Board meeting.
Members considered the implications of the Government’s Network North announcement and discuss progress on the revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP), as well as the changes needed to secure effective and efficient implementation of its ambition. Members also received an update on the recent Rail North Committee (RNC) meeting from its Chair, Great Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
It was agreed by the Board to write to the Transport Secretary and issue statutory advice on two points:
We know the North has huge economic potential, but poor connectivity is holding the region back. TfN’s STP sets out the North’s ambition to close the productivity gap, decarbonise surface transport and improve opportunities for all. That requires transformational investment in our transport system, and none more so than in our railways and strategic roads.
The TfN Board – as the Government’s statutory advisor on the North’s transport priorities – was clear: the North needs Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) in full, as well as investment that will deliver the levels of increased connectivity and capacity that would have been provided by HS2.
TfN welcomed the funding commitments set out in Network North as steps towards realising its long-term strategic ambition set out in the STP. This includes:
But to achieve transformational change and unlock economic potential to the benefit of the entire North, we need transformational, pan-regional investment in the North’s transport system to support levelling up.
TfN’s revised Strategic Transport Plan, to be published in the Spring, is built on evidence of where investment and change is needed. It also recognises how, if we are to be successful, we must change how we deliver transport infrastructure and services: it must be made quicker and simpler. Greater devolution of transport funding and decisions, a re-think on investment appraisal and having a pan-regional pipeline were discussed by the Board today.
Lord McLoughlin Chair of Transport for the North, said: “At Transport for the North our aim is to make transport easier, faster, and more accessible for all. Our evidence clearly demonstrates that we need transformational change, with investment in our roads, railways, and wider transport system, to improve connectivity for the North and make a difference for both residents and businesses.
“We must invest to deliver economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive for the longer term. And if we are going to achieve the ambitions in the Strategic Transport Plan, we need to champion change in the way we plan, develop, and then deliver transport investment.
“That means doing things differently. Transport for the North has a role to advise Government where there are opportunities to work more efficiently and effectively. By focusing on the outcomes, we need for people and places, working with metro mayors and local authorities and securing the investment needed, we can transform the North.”
On the Avanti West Coast issue, Lord McLoughlin said: “There was a strong recommendation by leaders from across the North that the current level of service by Avanti is inadequate, and therefore we have proposed a solution for the Christmas period to remove First-Class carriages to ensure that the travelling public are put first.”
Mayor Andy Burnham, Chair of the Rail North Committee, added: “Next week is a huge week for the rail network in the North, as many families are relying on the network to see family and friends over the festive period. But the current levels of service we have witnessed in recent days is threatening to ruin the holiday period for many. Increased cancellations by Avanti leading to overcrowded trains just cannot be justified.
“The travelling public must always come first. They are entitled to a reliable service and therefore we are of the view that there should be no First-Class carriages over Christmas and until the New Year when Avanti can clearly demonstrate that their services have improved.”