Industry commentators have offered mixed reactions following the publication of a Northern Transport Strategy Spring report this week.

 

The document launched by Transport for the North and the Department for Transport on Monday reveals a timetable of investment proposals for the region and details progress on existing Government road and rail projects.

 

Among key priorities set out in the report are the development of Northern Powerhouse rail, for which various network upgrades aimed at improving travel between the largest cities and Manchester Airport have been identified.

 

The report also favours the implementation of ‘Smart North’ – a smart ticketing system to help passengers switch easily between buses, trains and trams across the region – and outlines progress on road studies which look at providing trans-Pennine connections.

 

CBI director for nations and regions Sarah Green said: “While it is encouraging to see progress on Transport for the North’s strategy, we now need to move from planning to delivery to maintain momentum. It’s in everyone’s interests for politicians to take a long term view and invest in truly transformational infrastructure across the north of England.”

 

Institution of Civil Engineers’ Northern Powerhouse Panel chair Richard Threlfall said: “The vision for the north as an economic powerhouse is gaining momentum and TfN has helpfully now set out a timetable for its initiatives, albeit in nearly all cases we won’t see any impact on the ground until after 2020.”

 

But he added: “We would like to see more ambition, embracing concepts such as entirely new east-west road and rail corridors from Liverpool to Hull.”

 

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Stephen Joseph said: “This Northern Transport Strategy report is a good start, and its recognition that the key to growth in the north is ‘efficient and affordable public transport’ and alternatives to car commuting is especially welcome.

 

“But this needs to be carried through to future roads investment, which should move from big unaffordable grand projects like the Trans-Pennine tunnel to making better and smarter use of existing roads. Users and communities across the north need good high quality alternatives to car travel, not old style road plans and the car based development they bring.”

 

Transport for the North chair John Cridland said: “I’m delighted with the progress of our ambitious plans to transform infrastructure in the north of England. Looking to the future we’ll build on our research, which is underpinned by the first independent economic review for the north, to devise a prioritised investment programme.”

 

(Photo: Department for Transport)