TfN Spring Report outlines significant progress in Northern transport planning

Tuesday 28th March 2017

Transport for the North (TfN), the body responsible for producing a cohesive transport investment strategy for the North of England, has today released its Spring 2017 Update Report – the first produced and published by the organisation independently from Government. The update comes hot on the heels of the announcement earlier this month that TfN is on track to gain statutory status as England’s first Sub-national Transport Body by the end of this year.

The new report provides detail on the progress made by TfN over the last 12 months, as it continues to develop a ‘single voice for the North’ to improve the quality of life for people in the region by transforming transport infrastructure and helping to grow the economy.

It also maps the timeline for the development of a Strategic Transport Plan for the North, which is due to be published later this year.

• TfN and its Partners’ key achievements over the last year include:The production of the Northern Powerhouse Economic Review in June 2016, a ground-breaking report identifying the region’s prime capabilities and setting out a realistic and achievable view of the North’s considerable economic potential
• Securing support from the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP for its formal proposal to become the first Sub-national Transport Body in England
• Identifying feasible options for the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail Network that will offer faster more frequent services with more seats for passengers between the North’s six major cities and its largest airport
• Acquiring approval from Government in the Autumn Statement 2016 for a recommendation that the A66 and Manchester North West Quadrant schemes should be implemented through its Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2)
• Welcoming recommendations from the Independent International Connectivity Commission, a panel of entrepreneurs chaired by John Cridland CBE, highlighting the major contribution to the economy of the North’s ports and airports and identifying latent potential that could be unlocked through transport investment
• Through its sister organisation, Rail North, acquiring significant investment in the North’s two new rail franchises, Northern and TransPennine, which will provide more frequent services to more places, with improved journey times
• Completion of the business case for the first phase of the Smart North programme, which will provide early benefits to rail passengers, including the rollout of smart rail season tickets and carnets complementing the government’s recently announced national ‘Smart on Rail’ initiative.

John Cridland, Chair of Transport for the North said, “I am delighted to launch our Spring 2017 Update outlining a year of progress. The report outlines the achievements and ambitions of TfN and its Partners as well as providing a glimpse at an exciting year ahead.

“The backbone of our work over the last twelve months and going forward is the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review – a fundamental look at the capabilities which, if supported by the right investment, can provide the foundations for closing the North/South productivity gap, generating new jobs and enhancing the North’s global competitiveness.

“The Review identified that the North’s potential could offer almost £100 billion in real terms of economic benefit to the UK and up to 850,000 new jobs. This case for transformational investment has been strengthened following the publication of the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper which sets out ideas to bolster the region’s productivity in line with its specific strengths.

David Brown, Chief Executive of Transport for the North said, “We have a clear focus for the year ahead to build on our progress as we become England’s first ever Sub-national Transport Body, paving the way for other regions to follow. This will mean we become a formal, legal entity and a statutory partner of the Government able to speak with one voice on behalf of the North about the transport priorities which can transform the region’s economy for the long term.

Transport for the North will publish its draft Strategic Transport Plan for public engagement in Autumn 2017.

Read the full TfN Spring Update Report 2017.

ENDS

Notes

• Transport for the North is a partnership, bringing together local and combined authorities and business leaders from across the North with Central Government. This body allows the region to speak with one voice on the transport infrastructure investment needed to boost the North’s economy.
• John Cridland is the Chair of the organisation. A former Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry, John oversees a Partnership Board comprising a key representative of all 19 Local and Combined Authorities in the North and from the 11 Local Enterprise Partnership areas. There are also representatives on the Board from the Department of Transport, Highways England, Network Rail and HS2.
• David Brown, who formerly headed MerseyTravel, is the Chief Executive of Transport for the North leading a Senior Management Team running an organisation now totalling over 70 people working primarily from offices in Leeds and Manchester.
• In 2016, the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review (which was commissioned by Transport for the North on behalf of Northern partners) demonstrated how unique capabilities which are present across the North could be harnessed to transform the region, adding almost £97billion to the UK economy and creating up to 850,000 jobs by 2050.
• In February this year, the Independent International Connectivity Commission – formed by Transport for the North’s Chair, John Cridland, to offer an expert business view of the global connectivity needs of the North of England – found that improving international links with the North could see 75 million air passengers travelling to and from the region each year by 2050, nearly double the current number.  Also, by developing better road and rail links for the region’s ports, more freight could be being shipped directly into and out of the region.