Transport for the North remains on track to become the UK’s first sub-national transport body after the supporting legislation was laid in Parliament last week.

 

The move to put TfN on a statutory footing will see it receive devolved powers over the strategic direction for transport investment in the region. This means that the Government must – when taking funding decisions – formally consider the body’s recommendations which are soon to be set out in a statutory transport strategy.

 

The legislation is expected to become law by the end of the year and TfN will be a statutory body from 1 April next year.  

 

It will also receive powers to fund the delivery of transport projects, including taking forward smart ticketing schemes across the region, and will work with local authorities to fund, promote and deliver road schemes. In addition it is set to formally incorporate Rail North – a partnership of local transport authorities – and work with Government to co-manage the Northern and Transpennine Express rail franchises.

 

Government says TfN’s new legal powers will give it an ‘unprecedented say’ on how money is spent on transport in the region. “These new powers will give Transport for the North far greater influence over national infrastructure decisions, as well as the certainty they need to plan and drive forward projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and smart ticketing,” said Transport Minister Jesse Norman.

 

TfN’s independent chair John Cridland said: “To have the Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament is a tremendous achievement.” He added that TfN is currently working with its partners to finalise a 30 year draft strategic transport plan, which will be published for public consultation early next year.

 

“Statutory status will ensure this plan is considered as a formal statutory document that can provide a solid, evidenced based framework for transport investment in the north over the coming decades,” he said.

 

Consultant WSP’s director Nasar Malik also welcomed the announcement, and said it would provide the “decision making powers to get the spades in the ground and create the infrastructure network the north needs to make the powerhouse a reality”.

 

But think tank IPPR North’s director Ed Cox said: “It is not enough for Transport for the North to advise Whitehall – decisions on northern transport must be made in the north, by the north.

 

“We will need to see the detail of the legislation to ensure that Transport for the North has the same powers enjoyed by Transport for London, so that it can borrow funds and raise private finance towards its own transport priorities, as has been the case with Crossrail in London.”