Infrastructure and increased investment needed to unlock economic growth – Transport for the North

Transport for the North board members, meeting in Liverpool, have restated their ambition for transport infrastructure needed to unlock economic growth.

Ahead of the government’s infrastructure pipeline, expected later this month, TfN board members called for urgent investment in the North’s strategic rail network.

A recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) calculated that, if the North of England had received the same transport spending per person as the capital, it would have received £140 billion more – enough to build seven Elizabeth Lines.

By bringing the region’s great towns and cities closer, evidence compiled by TfN says that , with the right investment, the North could grow the UK economy by £118 billion.

Northern leaders are also adamant that a plan is now needed for Northern Powerhouse Rail, with clear timelines.

The meeting responded to the Spending Review and 10-year infrastructure strategy, welcoming the transformational investment in city regions and calling for further investment to be far reaching across the North, including rural and coastal areas. Board members reiterated the need for Northern Powerhouse Rail, in full, including new lines via central Warrington, Manchester Airport and Bradford, major upgrades to routes linking Sheffield, Leeds and Hull and improvements to the East Coast Main Line, including reopening the Leamside Line.

TfN chair Lord Patrick McLoughlin said: “The North’s political leaders know that better connectivity can unlock sustainable and inclusive growth. While welcoming the commitments in the recent Spending Review, we also need to see Northern Powerhouse Rail become a reality for our communities and businesses and now is the time for a clear plan to make it happen.

“We need to be able to give our industries and our young people the certainty to look ahead and see transformational infrastructure happening to help build a better future for the North.

“We want to see decisions made by the North, for the North, in the North.”

The meeting also heard that work on the TransPennine Rail Upgrade was progressing well with electrification between Manchester and Leeds well underway. Political leaders said it was exciting to see work being delivered and how it engages with the communities along the route.