Thursday the 25th of May saw Transport for the North (TfN) launch a 12-week statutory consultation for its revised Strategic Transport Plan for the North of England.

The sub-national transport body has claimed that with investment, the economy in the North could see £118bn per annum, more achieved in 2050 than is predicted by current forecasting.

The Strategic Transport Plan for the North of England will create a case for the transformation of the transport system in the North and will advise the government regarding priorities in terms of transport.

The plan shows how investment would support decarbonisation within the transport network whilst building further opportunities into the future for the North.

Transport for the North is urging members of the public in the North to submit feedback on the plan for strategic transport infrastructure.

The feedback will be analysed ahead of being added to the final version of the Strategic Transport Plan ahead of being sent to political and business leaders in the North for approval.

The consultation will run from Thursday the 25th of May through to Thursday the 17th of August and will see attendance made at local partner meetings across the region alongside several virtual drop-in and in-person events.

Drop-in events are taking place as follows:

• Friday the 16th of June at Holiday Inn in Manchester from 11am to 3pm
• Wednesday the 5th of July at The Queens Hotel in Leeds from 11am to 3pm
• Friday the 14th of July at The Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle from 11am to 3pm
• Monday the 31st of July – Virtual Workshop from 11am-3pm

To attend a session, please book via Transport for the Norths Eventbrite page.

A virtual consultation room is also available by clicking here.

The revised Strategic Transport Plan shares reflects the following:

• A wider set of outcomes for what the North wants to achieve by 2050
• A clear vision for the North’s transport network
• Three strategic aims: transforming economic performance, rapid decarbonisation of the transport network and significantly reducing transport-related social exclusion.

The plan features information formed via rigorous monitoring and evaluation, which shows the ‘gold thread’ between activities and outcomes. The revised plan has achieved major progress since its first edition, including:

• “Right share” metric that supports work to reduce car dependency alongside creating the necessary capacity to support growth in public transport usage.
• Recognises the scale of change needed in accessibility in order to open opportunities whilst reducing social exclusion
• Reveals the approach to achieve near zero emissions from surface transport in the North of England for 2045
• Provides a long-term aim to double freight carried by rail

Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said: “Over the next 12 weeks, we want to hear from as many people as possible as part of our consultation for the strategic transport plan, on how we should transform transport in the North. Your views, comments and feedback will help us shape the plan to deliver the outcomes needed by citizens, businesses, and places across the region.”

“Our strategic transport plan will set out our advice to government on how best the North, speaking with one voice, thinks we can reach a sustainable, socially inclusive transport network for the future.”

“We need to change how we plan for, develop, invest, and deliver transport infrastructure and services. The evidence in this STP shows how with sustained investment, the right policy levers and enabling behaviour change, we can truly transform the North.”

“The final STP is due to be published in early 2024 and will lay the foundations for the transport infrastructure investment for the North for decades to come. This is why it’s vital we hear from as many people as possible, so please visit our website or attend one of our workshops near you. And don’t miss your opportunity to have your say on how we transform the North.”

To read the plan, please visit here.