A new report out this morning provides a blueprint for an integrated transport system that could transform the North’s economic prospects.  

Transport for the North, a blue print for devolving and integrating transport powers in England published by IPPR North.

Amongst its recommendations are a new authority, Transport for the North (TfN), which would be modelled on Transport for London, to take responsibility for travel in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East.

It argues that the North has experienced disproportionately low levels of government investment in its transport infrastructure, low both in relation to London and, more importantly, in comparison with city-regions in continental Europe. 

These low levels of investment have historically held back economic development opportunities in the North.

The report recommends transforming northern city-regions into an interconnected ‘powerhouse’ through a multi-modal, integrated transport system for both personal travel and freight.

Ensuring that transport connections, particularly public transport, are available and accessible, at a fair and reasonable cost, to all who live in the north of England and reducing CO2 emissions by promoting sustainable transport solutions, including a shift away from private car use and the electrification of key rail routes.

The authors recommend as part of the connectivity, multi-modal travel through the use of the most advanced technologies available, including smart-ticketing and inclusive payment options.

Ed Cox, the director of IPPR North, said: “Northern transport infrastructure is dated, poorly integrated and lacking the large-scale investment it needs, but Transport for the North could be at the vanguard of a coherent economic plan that will fire up the Northern Powerhouse. Devolving transport powers and budget to the North will help transform the region’s growth prospects and rebalance the economy. What we now need to see is the warm words on Northern growth translated into firm commitments to make this vision for a modern transport network a reality. An initial investment is needed, but this is about the North shaping its destiny through devolution of powers.”

Speaking on behalf of Transport for the North, Sir Richard Leese, said: “Transport for the North (TfN) warmly welcomes this independent report, which backs up and validates all the hard work which is currently underway on this ground-breaking programme – which will improve connections between cities and regions across the north of England and support economic growth. 
  
“The IPPR report includes some useful suggestions and rightly recognises the transformational nature of TfN’s ambitions and the fact this programme will boost jobs, productivity and wages and help to rebalance the national economy, they are also correct to note that this process will be evolutionary in its development.   
  
“Looking ahead, TfN is on schedule to deliver an interim report of its own later this month (March 2015) and we remain absolutely committed to delivering the programme with Government and working hard to turn this exciting vision for the future into a reality.”

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