Skip to main content

Strategy to connect the UK’s northern cities

Plans to revolutionise travel in the north, including a new TransNorth rail system and new road investments, will today be set out by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and northern city leaders. As part of building a northern powerhouse, the Chancellor established Transport for the North (TfN) to bring together northern transport authorities, and tasked it with working with government to create the first ever comprehensive tr
March 20, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
Plans to revolutionise travel in the north, including a new TransNorth rail system and new road investments, will today be set out by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and northern city leaders.

As part of building a northern powerhouse, the Chancellor established Transport for the North (TfN) to bring together northern transport authorities, and tasked it with working with government to create the first ever comprehensive transport strategy for the region, covering roads, rail, freight, airports and smart ticketing. TfN and the government are publishing the first ‘Northern transport strategy’ report today, following 5021 Network Rail work on rail improvement options.

The report sets out a long term strategy to connect up the north, create a single economy and allow northern towns and cities to pool their strengths. Plans set out in the report include: slashing journey times between major northern cities with investment in high speed rail; developing new east-west road connections including a road tunnel under the Peak District; and introducing Oyster-style smart travel cards and simpler fares across the north.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Connecting up the great cities of the north is at the heart of our plan to build a northern powerhouse. This report has the potential to revolutionise transport in the north and we will work closely with TfN to help make it a reality.

“From backing high speed rail to introducing simpler fares right across the north, our ambitious plans for transport means we will deliver a truly national recovery where every part of the country will share in Britain’s prosperity.”

Commenting on the report, Simon Allport, North West senior partner at EY, said: “Today’s report marks the next step in a multi-modal, integrated Northern transport network, with the potential to connect our soon-to-be smarter cities internally, with each other and with the rest of the UK – helping to make the North a stronger economic force.

“Building on the Northern city’s One North report, the new report importantly signals a clear, phased investment plan to get the North moving and make its transport system smarter through innovations like smart ticketing. It will be interesting to see which of the options for new routes and upgrades are taken forward.

“Following development work by Transport for the North, the focus should be on securing the vital funding and public support for the new projects that require it. All stakeholders – including regional business leaders – should work together to help to shape the future of the Northern transport network.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sydney's Opal fares to increase at peak times
    June 23, 2020
    Off-peak reductions introduced in a bid to stagger commuting times
  • New USDOT report points to need for more investment in highways, transit
    March 3, 2014
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced that a new report on the state of America's transportation infrastructure, 2013 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance, confirms that more investment is needed to maintain and improve the nation's highway and transit systems. Last month, Secretary Foxx highlighted the need for transportation investment in a speech that took aim at America’s infrastructure deficit and identified ways to use innovation and improv
  • Magway delivers future of transport
    January 18, 2021
    A dramatic shift towards e-commerce and home working, plus the need for sustainable deliveries, means future cities are at a crossroads, says Phill Davies of Magway
  • Government funding for Lincoln transport hub
    August 25, 2016
    The UK government has announced funding for the Lincoln transport hub, including a new bus station and 1,000 space car park. There will also be improvements to Lincoln Central railway station and a pedestrianised plaza connecting the bus and rail stations. As part of the upgrade, the new bus station will provide live travel information for both bus and rail passengers, while the 1,000 space multi-storey will have up to 32 electric vehicle charging points to power the next generation of vehicles. Cycle