Plans to create a legally binding transport strategy for the north of England took a significant step forward last week with the passing of the Cities & Local Government Devolution Act.

The Act allows the creation of elected mayors and the devolution of functions including transport, skills and planning. The first city region to take on these powers will be Manchester (pictured), which is to hold its mayoral election in May next year.

The Act also paves the way for statutory sub-national transport bodies – such as Transport for the North (TfN) – to advise the Government on investment priorities in their own area.

“This is a major step forward in making TfN a statutory body, giving local people a say in transport for their area,” said Transport Minister Andrew Jones.

“Giving the body a legal basis will ensure it has impact, influence, and the certainty to plan and drive forward projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail (HS3) and the roll out of smart ticketing in the north,” added Mr Jones.

Passing of the Act paves the way for TfN to create and deliver its Northern Transport Strategy, which is due to be jointly published with the Government in March.

“TfN began as a partnership between the northern cities, determined to improve transport infrastructure and services across the north of England, to grow the economy and create new business opportunities,” explained the organisation’s chair John Cridland.

“With the passage of this Act of Parliament, TfN can now move its partnership to a new level, speaking with one voice for the whole of the north, and with the legal powers we need to deliver on those ambitions. This is a big step forward for devolution and a great opportunity to transform the connectivity of communities across the north.”

Midlands Connect – the partnership tasked with developing a transport blueprint to unlock economic growth and jobs in the West Midlands – also welcomed the new legislation which could see it given formal powers over strategic schemes and investment.

The group is currently in the process of identifying the road, rail and other transport improvements needed to maximise the benefits of the forthcoming High Speed 2 rail line.

(Photo: Smabs Sputzer and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons licence)