North’s £70bn vision
Transport for the North’s 30-year vision for northern transport outlines the benefits from £70bn worth of investment.
TRANSPORT for the North has given final approval to its Strategic Transport Plan setting out a 30-year vision for northern transport.
The document and accompanying Investment Programme outline how up to £70 billion worth of investment in transport infrastructure from 2020 to 2050 can contribute towards an additional £100bn in economic growth for the North’s economy - creating 850,000 extra jobs.
According to TfN, which represents 20 local transport authorities and the business community across northern England, the key messages of the Strategic Transport Plan (STP) are to rebalance decades of underinvestment and to transform the lives of people in the North through enhanced connectivity.
Launched for consultation in draft form on January 16 2018 ( RAIL 845), the STP’s approval by the TfN board on February 7 means that its contents will now form the sub-national transport body’s statutory advice on future transport expenditure to government.
The STP (which also incorporates TfN’s Long Term Rail Strategy) proposes a £70bn pipeline of short, medium and long-term plans including major road upgrades, and flagship programmes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
On February 7, TfN also approved a Strategic Outline Business Case for NPR, which calls on government to officially commit to the £39bn project and to allocate funding in the next Spending Review.
The business case itself will remain confidential while it is considered by government, but it features high-level concepts aimed at fully integrating HS2, including: ■ A new line linking Leeds and Manchester via Bradford. ■ A new twin-track line linking Liverpool to HS2 and other northern cities via Warrington and Manchester Airport. ■ Significant upgrades and integration with HS2 linking Leeds and Sheffield. ■ Significant upgrades between Sheffield, Leeds and Hull. ■ An upgrade of the Hope Valley corridor.
“In Northern Powerhouse Rail, we have turned ambition and passion into a robust evidence base for investment of up to £39bn,” said TfN’s Northern Powerhouse Rail Director Tim Wood.
“It provides viable options and solutions to the North’s rail challenges. For too long, passengers and businesses have been held back by slower than average train speeds and poor connectivity between our city regions.
“While the Government considers this case, we will begin the more in-depth design and feasibility work that will take
us closer to a final preferred network.”
Transport for the North Chief Executive Barry White added: “The STP is a hugely important document for the North. It is our vision for a prosperous panNorthern future, and outlines how investment in transport could transform our economy.
“For the people of the North, this will mean more choice over where they live and work, access to higher-quality jobs, and better connections to friends and families. It will mean our businesses have more opportunity to collaborate, trade and grow in a sustainable way.”
The STP was officially launched by TfN at its inaugural conference in Sheffield on February 11, when Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis called on central government to throw its weight behind the proposals.
He said: “Our message to government is clear. We want you to work with us because we have before us a unique opportunity to transform the North’s economy. So back us, give us the power and funding, and together we can make it happen.” ■ TfN’s Strategic Transport Plan and Long Term Rail Strategy can be accessed on the TfN website.