Swift progress has been made this spring inside the Manchester offices of Transport for the North to set out a strategic direction for developing infrastructure that promises to boost economic fortunes across the region.

 

In March the group’s proposal to become England’s first sub national transport body was welcomed by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. The formal process to gain statutory status is under way and should be concluded by the end of this year.

 

Becoming a sub national transport body will allow the group to take forward the collective ambitions of authorities in the north to improve road and rail networks.

 

And two studies due to be published on 19 June give details as to what those priorities are likely to be: a Major Roads Report and an Integrated Rail Report.

 

The roads report establishes a series of highway corridors, each with a package of measures that warrant further appraisal, and the rail report sets out possible improvements along nine corridors. Brief details of key measures contained within each study are listed alongside.

 

Over the summer and into the autumn the views of businesses and transport user groups will be sought before the two studies and supporting evidence are brought together into a strategic transport plan.

 

This plan will set out priority schemes, provide costings and consider how proposals fit with the five year ambitions of Highways England and Network Rail. The hope is that both regionally and nationally important projects can start to be taken forward together for delivery between now and 2050. A Trans Pennine road tunnel is among the options being considered.

 

Transport for the North’s chief executive David Brown says: “This is the first time the north has set out economic corridors where it can focus on delivering improvements and we are making good strides in pulling together our ambitious strategic plan.”

 

The group estimates that with the right level of investment in transport, innovation and skills the economy of the north could, by the middle of this century, generate an additional £100Bn benefit and provide 850,000 extra jobs.

 

“I’m proud of the fact that we are not just producing a transport plan for the sake of it, but as a means to grow the economy,”

 

David Brown adds.

 

Proposed highway improvements (both new build and upgrades) are set against a newly created 7900km ‘Major Road Network for the North’, which brings together around 2440km of strategic roads with 5460km of significant local routes, which are said to be vital to connect key areas of economic activity.

 

Formation of this network for the north follows last year’s publication of the ‘England’s Major Roads’ study by transport specialists David Quarmby and Phil Carey, with support from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. The study advocates the creation of a principal highway network that goes beyond those routes looked after by

Highways England.

 

One significant aim of Transport for the North’s new major road network is to better connect around 80 so called ‘important economic centres’ which generally have a population of over 50,000 people or make a strong contribution to the region’s financial success.

 

It is hoped that these stronger connections will provide greater network resilience to support the needs of businesses.

 

“There are lots of rich economic centres that add value outside of the main cities of the north and it is our job to better serve those centres to allow them to grow,”

 

David Brown adds.

 

“Businesses want to be better connected; the classification of the roads is irrelevant to them, so we welcome the work of David Quarmby and Phil Carey which has helped us to set out a network that is right for the region.”

 

And in terms of the railways, the group’s rail study says there are “inconsistent service frequencies and journey speeds between key locations” which need addressing. It also says that rail freight, at present, “is not carrying enough traffic to make the most of the rail slots currently available”.

 

Transport for the North is also very keen to see the region make the most of planned High Speed 2 infrastructure, connecting it with the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail network to improve rail travel between north and south as well as east and west.

 

Last month’s election of Mayors in three city regions across the north (Liverpool, Greater Manchester and Tees Valley) is, says David Brown, good news for those keen to see better transport services in the region.

 

He is also confident that the previous Government’s enthusiasm for devolution will be continued into the next Parliament, regardless of the outcome of this month’s General Election.

 

He stresses that Transport for the North is an example of “proper devolution” in action and rejects any notion that it represents an added layer of bureaucracy. Instead, he adds, the group is working hard to make the strategic case for transport and ensure that national agencies deliver priorities in the north.

 

He also dismisses suggestions that last summer’s change of Prime Minister and Chancellor led to a cooling of interest in the so called Northern Powerhouse, in favour of other regional initiatives.

 

“Last year the Government broadened out its approach to economic growth across England, and its industrial strategy recognised the value of the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine and others that fit into a broader context.”

 

And following the Brexit result, he adds, the role of the north in supporting the country’s economic growth is likely to be more important than ever.

 

According to Transport for the North’s director of strategy Nigel Foster the region’s strategic transport plan will be multi modal, address the needs of both passengers and freight and look to improve international connectivity through ports and airports.

 

“We are open to ideas as to the best schemes within each of our corridors to improve pan northern connectivity and we are also keen to explore further options for improving transport links into north Wales, Scotland and the Midlands.

 

“Projects being taken forward aim to add value and better align transport with economic plans, including unlocking land for development.”

 

He adds that better connectivity across the north will also benefit people who want to relocate to a new area or seek a better quality of life to commute more easily to places of work.