Council hails £69bn transport strategy
LANCASHIRE County Council has welcomed a new transport plan which sets out an ambitious vision for transforming connections for the North.
The county council is a founding member of Transport for the North which this week published its draft strategic transport plan.
The plan makes the case for a £69bn investment to the region’s infrastructure by 2050 to drive growth and close the economic gap between the North and the rest of England.
Included in the strategy unveiled in Liverpool on Tuesday is a new rail network, called the Northern Powerhouse Rail.
The public are now being asked to share their thoughts on the proposals through a 13-week consultation.
Transport for the North represents councils and business leaders from all areas of the North.
It was set up to advise the Government on a transport strategy, but unlike Transport for London, it has no powers to generate income.
The strategic transport plan outlines how a sustained 30-year programme of investment in transport infrastructure could boost the North’s economy by £100bn and create 850,000 jobs by 2050.
Among the key proposals is full integration of the network with HS2.
County Councillor Geoff Driver, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This plan makes a strong case for much greater investment in the North’s transport infrastructure by presenting a compelling vision for the economic transformation this could achieve.
“The overall message is that better connections between economic centres within the North, with the rest of the UK, and via ports and airports with the wider world, would make this an even better place to do business, create more jobs, and lead to greater prosperity.
“We’re already working very closely with Transport for the North, which leaves us well-placed to make Lancashire’s voice heard and influence future priorities for funding.
“The emphasis given in the strategy to improving east to west connections across the central Pennines is very encouraging, and reflects Lancashire’s input as a founding member of TFN.
“Lancashire’s economy has strong potential for growth in each of the four prime areas identified by the strategy – advanced manufacturing, energy, health digital.
“Our county is home to the fourth largest aerospace cluster in the world, with key manufacturing and innovation centres which have the potential to become more productive.
“Lancashire’s strength as an economic area is comparable to the major cities of the North, and we’ll be working hard to make this case in order that our priorities are considered for future funding alongside the city regions.
“This draft strategy is just the beginning rather than an end in itself, however the signs are encouraging that government recognises the difference that could be made to people’s lives, and the UK innovation, and economy, by investing more in the north.”
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: “One of the key themes of this plan is how better connections between industries and centres of expertise within the North could greatly improve productivity and achieve more rapid growth.”
He added: “Tourism is also vital to Lancashire and there’s great potential for growth if national and international links can be improved.”
On the question of how the plan will be funded, he said: “We already have a good track record in Lancashire of working effectively with government and industry to attract investment, with millions already being spent to improve local transport infrastructure, and develop business and housing sites, through the City Deal and Growth Deal programmes.
“The priorities outlined in Transport for the North’s draft strategy will shape future investment and we’ll be working hard to make the case for the part Lancashire can play in achieving this vision for a better-connected and more prosperous North.”
You can find out more at www.transportforthenorth.com.