Transport for the North (TfN) and the Department for Transport (DfT) have released their autumn report updating the work they are doing to develop the northern transport strategy. As of October 2015, the TfN Partnership Board now formally represents all of the North’s local transport authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships, covering every part of the North. This report provides a six-month update on the progress made against each element of our Strategy, and looks ahead to the work we will complete by spring 2016.

The autumn report states that:
“As well as transformed connectivity, speed, capacity and resilience on the strategic road and rail networks, the North’s ambitious vision includes improved connections within and between city regions by local rail, rapid transit and road so that people across the North can access the widened job and leisure opportunities resulting from improved connectivity.”

This report:

• Covers the progress made on rail, and summarises its initial findings.
• Covers strategic roads, including the strategic case for, and engineering feasibility of, a new trans-Pennine road tunnel. (The Trans-Pennine tunnel strategic study: terms of reference can be found here)
• Sets out the scope of the regional implementation plan we are developing for smart and integrated travel across the North.
• Describes the work under way on integrating plans for freight and logistics, international connectivity and strategic local connectivity into the Northern Transport Strategy.
• Sets out the progress made in setting up and developing TfN as an organisation, and our next steps.