Transport for the North (TfN) has today published its £70bn Strategic Transport Plan and Investment Programme, which sets out an ambitious vision for the future of the North’s economy, through proposals for northern transport infrastructure over the next 30 years.
The Strategic Transport Plan is to be considered by Transport for the North’s Board on Thursday 7 February and subject to approval, will be officially launched by TfN on Monday 11 February 2019 at its Inaugural Conference in Sheffield.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:
“This important plan showcases our shared ambition to transform transport across the North of England and sets out exactly how this can be delivered over the next 30 years.
“The powerful case for Northern Powerhouse Rail connecting Manchester to Leeds via a new line with a city centre station in Bradford is a key plank of the plan and we will continue to work with TfN to ensure this project delivers its full potential.”
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:
“The Strategic Transport Plan complements the investment we are making across West Yorkshire and York to remove obstacles to growth by cutting journey times, reducing congestion and promoting public transport and active travel.
“Our work on future transport plans, including the role of mass transit, are designed to ensure investment in major projects including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are integrated with local transport to bring benefits to all our communities.”
Cllr Judith Blake, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Lead on Transport and TfN Partnership Board representative, said:
“This plan makes the strong case for reversing years of underinvestment in our transport network across the North of England to help rebalance the national economy.
“Northern Powerhouse Rail, serving Bradford, integrated with an upgraded trans-Pennine line, HS2 and local and regional services via a redeveloped Leeds Station will deliver transformational benefits to communities across the region and the wider North.”
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Chair of the NP11 Board and TfN Partnership Board representative, said:
“The Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review identified improved transport connections as one of the keys to unlocking an additional 850,000 jobs across the North by 2050.
“This plan is a significant step towards meeting that aim and we need to work in partnership across the North, with Government and others to ensure it is delivered as quickly as possible.”