He said on Monday that he would initiate immediate discussion with Government to seek support for powers and funding to accelerate bus franchising for Greater Manchester, with services to be integrated with Metrolink trams. He also pledged to complete 100km of cycling and walking routes by the end of the year and roll out almost 300 electric vehicle charging points by the end of next year.

The local elections also saw the re-election of Sadiq Khan as Mayor of London, whose manifesto features a commitment to continue working with Government for a sustainable long term funding model for Transport for London, following challenges experienced during Covid.

Further priorities include lobbying for investment in Crossrail 2 and a Bakerloo Line extension ‘when the time is right again’, as well as pushing forward with initiatives to ensure 80% of all journeys are sustainable by 2041 and improve air quality.

Andy Street was re-elected as West Midlands Mayor for the Conservatives with key pledges to double transport spending in the region and tackle the climate emergency. He plans to open a series of new metro stations across the region, reopen former railway stations in Walsall and south Birmingham and agree a major programme of new segregated cycle routes.

West Yorkshire elected Labour’s Tracey Brabin as its first Metro Mayor, whose plans for transport include fighting for ‘the same level of investment in West Yorkshire that people in London get’. She hopes to deliver a mass transport system linking Dewsbury, Castleford, Bradford and Leeds and bring buses under public control to reduce fares and provide new routes.

The Labour Party also took control of combined authorities in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and in the West of England following Conservative victories four years ago.

New Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Nik Jonson pledged to deliver a fully integrated, greener transport system and improve bus services through franchising. He is expected to shelve proposals brought forward by the former mayor to build an autonomous metro system for the Cambridge area.

Meanwhile the West of England’s new Mayor Dan Norris said he would investigate options such as mass transit and bus franchising to improve public transport connectivity, alongside delivering a plan for rural transport. He will also support railway improvements such as network electrification and reopening the Portishead line, and promote walking and cycling.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen of the Conservatives was re-elected, with key promises including delivery of a major redevelopment of Darlington railway station and a new link road for the town, as well as further station upgrades across the region.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram was also re-elected and – similar to Manchester’s ambition – hopes to provide a fully integrated London-system transport system in the city to provide people with viable alternatives to the private car.

Commenting on the mayoral successes in the north of England, consultant Aecom’s cities director Stephen Gleave said: “For the past four years, the two regional cities of the North West have started to benefit from devolved leadership and I’m delighted that in West Yorkshire the scope is broadened beyond the city of Leeds.”

But he added this begs the question of when devolution may come to the towns and rural hinterland beyond the metro areas of Liverpool and Manchester. “For levelling up to truly have meaning across the north, we will need to consider how best to draw in all communities.”

Recommend CIHT

#StepForward

Propose a colleague who successfully becomes a CIHT member and you’ll be automatically be entered into our free monthly prize draw where one lucky winner will receive a £50 John Lewis Gift Card.

>>> Find out more