Transport Minister Jesse Norman makes first appearance with Transport for the North

Monday 26th June 2017

The new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Jesse Norman MP, has made his first public appearance in his new role alongside Transport for the North at the inaugural Northern Transport Summit that the organisation is partnering.

Following his presentation, Mr Norman met with Transport for the North’s Chair, John Cridland; and Chief Executive, David Brown. The three discussed the future of transport infrastructure in the North of England, and its important role in driving regional economic growth.

John Cridland, TfN’s Independent Chair, said:

“Mr Norman was very positive about the North and what we as an organisation have been doing. It was a pleasure to meet him and we look forward to working with him as we continue on our journey.”

“What we have achieved here at Transport for the North is a testament to how all of the areas across the region have been able to come together and drive the North forward.

“Only two years ago, just three people made up TfN; now there are over 80, and we are set to become the first statutory Sub-national Transport Body by the end of the year. We are also pressing ahead with the development of our Strategic Transport Plan, which will lay the foundations for transport investments that will deliver economic growth and prosperity in the region for decades to come.”

Transport minister Jesse Norman said:
“The great towns and cities of the north have a proud history of pioneering new transport developments, and an exciting future as part of the Northern Powerhouse. I look forward to working closely with Transport for the North as it identifies its transport priorities to help drive economic growth in the region.”

David Brown, TfN’s Chief Executive Officer, added:
“TfN has a clear mission to transform the North’s economy by intelligently developing our transport infrastructure. Both John and I were delighted to discuss with the minister how we can work together to ensure this mission becomes a reality.

Last week, TfN published the evidence that will inform its Strategic Transport Plan. The first of its kind, the Plan is being developed to transform the North’s economy through investment in the region’s transport infrastructure. It could help create close to a million new jobs and add almost £100 billion to the UK’s economy.

The evidence includes a Position Statement, Initial Major Roads Report and Initial Integrated Rail Report. The work, which has been developed in close collaboration with stakeholders and Partners, will help shape the Strategic Transport Plan that TfN will adopt when it becomes the first Statutory Sub-National Transport Body in England, expected to be at the end of this year.

The Position Statement explains how the Plan will add value for people and businesses across the North and aligns it with economic and transport plans at both a regional and national level. The Plan will be used to inform the agendas of the Department for Transport, Highways England and Network Rail with regional intelligence.
All documents comprising the Strategic Transport Plan evidence base can be found on TfN’s website: www.transportforthenorth.com

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ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Northern Transport Summit is hosted by Place North West, a business-to-business website for property and regeneration professionals in the North West. More information on the event itself can be found at: https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/events/northern-transport-summit-rail-road-air-and-ports/
• Transport for the North is a partnership, bringing together local and combined authorities and business leaders from across the North with Central Government. This body allows the region to speak with one voice on the transport infrastructure investment needed to boost the North’s economy.
• In 2016, the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review, commissioned by Transport for the North on behalf of Northern partners, demonstrated how unique capabilities which are present across the North could be harnessed to transform the region, adding almost £97billion to the UK economy and creating up to 850,000 jobs by 2050.
• In February this year, the Independent International Connectivity Commission – formed by Transport for the North’s Chair, John Cridland, to offer an expert business view of the global connectivity needs of the North of England – found that improving international links with the North could see 75 million air passengers travelling to and from the region each year by 2050, nearly double the current number. Also, by developing better road and rail links for the region’s ports, more freight could be being shipped directly into and out of the region.
• TfN is establishing itself as a leading-edge organisation in preparation to become the first Sub-national Transport Body in England by the end of 2017.