£70bn transformation plans for the North
Transport for the North has set out draft proposals for the Strategic Transport Plan and the Investment Programme which is to rebalance underinvestment and drive transformation in northern infrastructure over the next 30 years using up to £70 billion of investment.
The Strategic Transport Plan outlines how up to £70 billion of investment to 2050 could contribute towards an additional £100 billion in economic growth for the North’s economy and create 850,000 extra jobs.
The funding aims to better connect the whole of the North, making it easier to move goods to, from and within the North.
Transport for North also intends to increase spending on strategic transport by around £50 per person in the North each year to 2050. This would include upgraded and new major roads, enhancing the existing rail network and the continued roll out of smart ticketing.
Plans to be considered by Transport for the North’s Board on the 7th of February. If successful, plans will be officially launched by Transport for the North on 11 February 2019.
“The Strategic Transport Plan is a hugely important document for the North. It is our vision for a prosperous pan-Northern future and outlines how investment in transport could transform our economy,” said Transport for the North chief executive Barry White. “This final Plan will be a statutory document written by the North, for the North, and will be our blueprint to deliver transformational change and leave a legacy for future generations.”
The CBI also commented on Transport for the North’s (TfN) proposals. “Transport for the North’s (TfN) vision to improve vital transport infrastructure over the next few decades is a key milestone for the North of England, and the UK as a whole,” commented CBI chief UK policy director, Matthew Fell.
“The plans for better connections between the towns, cities and international gateways that will assist the North’s long-term growth reflect business priorities across the country,” he continued. “High quality and reliable infrastructure keeps the economy moving, drives growth, and has a tremendous impact on productivity. These plans will also create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, bringing new opportunities to communities.”
