TfN to close consultation on 30-year transport plan

Transport for the North has issued a final call for the public to share their thoughts on its draft Strategic Transport Plan, ahead of the close of the public consultation phase on Tuesday 17 April.

Consultation has been open since the launch of the plan on Tuesday 16 January, and has seen TfN, which this month has held its first meeting as a formal body with statutory powers, visit 33 towns and cities across the North of England as part of engagement events aimed at sharing its 30-year vision for transport investment.

Aimed at rebalancing the UK’s economy through a sustained 30-year programme of transport infrastructure investment, the Strategic Transport Plan could deliver a £100bn economic boost and 850,000 additional jobs by 2050.

Barry White, chief executive of TfN, said: “Over the last 3 months we’ve travelled right across the North to hear from the people who matter, those in the region and who are directly impacted by current transport restrictions.

“It is clear that like us, people feel passionately about improving the connectivity of the North to allow us to function on a level playing field with the rest of the UK. The feedback we have received will play a crucial role in the development of the Strategic Transport Plan before its final release later this year.

“The consultation is a unique opportunity for those living and working in the North to have their say on what matters to them in their areas with the potential of actually shaping the transport agenda. I’d encourage people to take up the opportunity to submit their feedback while they have the chance.”

The public are asked to share their thoughts on the proposals outlined in the draft Strategic Transport Plan by filling in a questionnaire online.

A final version of the Strategic Transport Plan will be published later in the year and submitted to the Government for ministerial consideration.