Transport Minister and Northern leaders to tackle how transport investment will help level-up the economy

Friday 11th December 2020

Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson MP will join a the list of high-profile speakers for Transport for the North’s Annual Conference 2020.

He’ll join the North’s mayors, council and business leaders, and prominent public figures including Lord Heseltine, during the online event on Monday 14 December, from 10.30am

Mr Stephenson will be part of the opening plenary alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Transport for the North Chairman John Cridland, and IPPR North Director Sarah Longlands, with ITV Granada Political Correspondent Hannah Miller chairing the session.

The HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail Minister is expected to discuss how the Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated how crucial it is to generate jobs and economic growth in places they’re needed most.

He will tell the conference that to get the North’s economy moving again, the government is committed to getting transport moving too while working alongside Transport for the North.

Also confirmed for the conference is Lord Callanan, Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

He will join the Decarbonisation in the North session, which is Chaired by Financial Times North East Correspondent Chris Tighe, with panellists; Transport for the North’s Integrated & Smart Travel Director Jeremy Acklam, Mayor of the North of Tyne Jamie Driscoll, and University of Sheffield Senior Lecturer in Architectural Engineering Danielle Densley Tingley.

The day of debates will see political and business leaders discuss how to rebuild and transform the North through targeted transport investment, including confirmed speaker Lord Heseltine who’ll discuss the role of devolution in bridging economic divides.

The schedule for the Transport for the North Annual Conference 2020:

10:30-11:20 – Opening plenary

• Chaired by ITV Granada Political Correspondent Hannah Miller with panellists Andrew Stephenson MP, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Transport for the North Chairman John Cridland, IPPR North Director Sarah Longlands.

11:30-12:15 – Morning breakout sessions

Putting passengers in the North First

• Chaired by Transport for the North Strategic Rail Programme Manager Salim Patel with panellists Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, Leeds City Council Leader Cllr Judith Blake, Northern Trains Ltd Chief Operating Officer Tricia Williams, Transport Focus Director David Sidebottom.

How to build a high speed North

• Chaired by Hannah Miller, with panellists; Northern Powerhouse Rail Director Tim Wood, HS2 Phase 2b Sponsorship Director Lorna Pimlott, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Chair of the HS2 Review Doug Oakervee

Decarbonisation in the North

• Chaired by Financial Times North East Correspondent Chris Tighe, with panellists; TfN Integrated & Smart Travel Director Jeremy Acklam, Mayor of the North of Tyne Jamie Driscoll, Minister for Climate Change Lord Callanan, University of Sheffield Senior Lecturer in Architectural Engineering Danielle Densley Tingley

12:15-12:45 – Live podcast recording

With Easington MP Grahame Morris and Transport for the North’s Principal Policy Officer for Freight & Logistics Lucy Hudson, hosted by Transport for the North’s Principal Media & Communications Officer, Gemma Rathbone.

12:45-13:30 – Afternoon breakout sessions

Economic recovery post-Covid

• Chaired by Sunday Times Northern Correspondent David Collins with panellists; TUC Regional Secretary North West Lynn Collins, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis, Transport for the North’s Major Roads Director Peter Molyneux, Finance and Economics Writer and Commentator Frances Coppola

Business Priorities for the North of England

• Chaired by Northern Power Women CEO Simone Roche with panellists; Northern Powerhouse Partnership Director Henri Murison, North East Local Enterprise Partnership Chair Lucy Winskell, Confederation of British Industry Director of Infrastructure Tom Thackray, Midlands Connect Director Maria Machancoses

Devolution and the North-South divide

• Chaired by Liverpool Echo Regional Content Editor Julia Rampen with panellists; Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Environment and Planning Cllr Michael Green, De Montfort University Associate Professor in Local Politices & Public Policy Arianna Giovannini, TfN Finance Director Iain Craven, Lord Heseltine, Centre for Local Economic Strategies Chief Executive Neil McInroy

13:35-14:00 – Closing plenary

• Cheshire West & Chester Council Leader Cllr Louise Gittins, Transport for the North Chief Executive Barry White, Greater Manchester Combined Authority Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman, Sheffield City Region Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey.