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Blueprint for the north’s transport infrastructure published
Transport for the North (TfN) published an ambitious plan on 25 March for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the north, enabled by transformational connectivity.
The new Strategic Transport Plan (STP) was approved at a Transport for the North board meeting in Leeds by northern leaders.
It outlines how - with the right investment and policy levers, together with transformational transport infrastructure - we could have a northern economy that will be £118 billion larger by 2050.
The blueprint, which builds on the first plan published five years ago, sets out the case to transform the north’s transport infrastructure and services, demonstrating how better connectivity can enable economic growth, decarbonise our transport system and create more opportunities for all.
“Logistics is a critical part of the north’s economy; employing more than 650,000 people in over 50,000 businesses,” says Jonathan Walker, Logistics UK’s Head of Cities and Infrastructure Policy.
“TfN’s new Strategic Transport Plan rightly recognises the importance of our sector and the need to improve connectivity across the north to unlock investment and enable logistics to maximise the benefit it can deliver to the region’s economy and communities.
“We look forward to working with TfN to deliver on these ambitions.”
The first STP enabled a step change in government funding for rail, by setting out the case for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). TfN’s new plan is focused on the outcomes needed for people and places, seeking to better connect communities and businesses with services and opportunities.
It sets out robust monitoring and evaluation to measure progress year-on-year, making sure the plan is on track. The new STP sets out the north’s ambition for near-zero emissions from surface transport in the region by 2045.
The plan supports efforts to reduce car dependency and create the capacity required to grow patronage on public transport networks and recognises the scale of change required in accessibility needed to unlock opportunity and reduce social exclusion by one million people by 2050.
The long-term ambition is to treble the share of freight carried by rail.
Published On: 04/04/2024 15:20:00
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