Elected leaders from the north’s nineteen local and combined authorities, co-opted business leaders, representatives from Highways England, HS2, Network Rail and Transport Minister Jo Johnson met Thursday, 5 April, for the inaugural board meeting of Transport for the North, England’s first sub-national transport body.
Transport for the North has been set up to allow the region to speak with one voice on the major transport infrastructure investment needed to boost the North’s economy and to develop the strategic plans which will set the direction for transport infrastructure improvements across the north of the country for the next 30 years. The organisation will also make the case to the Government for consistent and sustained investment in the north.
Transport for the North is already at work developing fully-costed proposals for Northern Powerhouse rail plans and rolling out smart ticketing and other rail service improvements, in addition to developing plans for major road improvements.
Councillor Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said:
“Our meeting was a real milestone for the north of England. Improving transport connections across the north is essential to create better jobs, improve our economy and to improve our quality of life here in York. This is an opportunity to take local control over those big transport investment decisions and to make sure they truly respond to local needs of our residents.”