A record £13bn is going to be invested in transport in the north of England, and it’s going to drive productivity in the region.
It was announced yesterday that Transport for the North (TfN) is set to become the first ever statutory sub-national transport body in the UK, taking effect from April 2018 once the legislation has been passed.
It is expected that the move will grant greater powers to the Northern Powerhouse regarding transport and infrastructure, enabling the area to benefit from business and social growth.
The announcement was made by transport minister Jesse Norman, who said: “We are committed to the Northern Powerhouse, and to giving the great towns and cities of the north more say over transport investment through their umbrella body TfN.
“This government is investing the most cash for a generation in transport projects for the north.
“These new powers will give TfN far greater influence over national infrastructure decisions, as well the certainty they need to plan and drive forward projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and smart ticketing.”
A game-changer
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry said that the £13bn being invested in transport in the north of England is more than has ever been invested previously.
He added: “As part of this, TfN will be a game-changer, with powers to speak with one voice on northern transport projects and drive forward ambitious plans to improve transport connections and unlock economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse.”
A report from KPMG recently found that improving the transport infrastructure particularly in the north-east is “crucial to unlocking the north’s true productivity potential”.
Three northern mayors recently wrote to Philip Hammond ahead of the Autumn Budget to call for post-Brexit devolution to the north to give the region more powers and autonomy from Whitehall.
