Transport for the North welcomes today’s announcement on the government’s Better Connected transport strategy, particularly its focus on championing data and technology, empowering local leaders and strengthening decision-making and appraisal. These priorities mirror the work we deliver across the North – supporting partners with the evidence, data, insight and technical capability needed to design and deliver integrated networks that work for their communities.
Stronger, local empowerment has long been a priority for the North’s leaders and this direction of travel supports the shared ambition for a more connected, seamless system that makes everyday journeys simpler and more reliable for passengers across the region.
We welcome the commitment to establishing a clearer, five‑year improvement plan to ensure transport appraisal better reflects local priorities. This ambition builds on the work we’ve already delivered through our Northern Appraisal Playbook, launched in February, which supports partners in preparing stronger, more inclusive and more place-based business cases that better reflect local visions and needs.
Ensuring decisions reflect local priorities underlines the importance of high-quality data, analysis and intelligence in delivering better outcomes for people and places across the region. This aligns with TfN’s role in providing the data, tools and modelling resources that underpin robust plan-making and business case development across the North. We will continue working closely with local leaders, mayors and partners to ensure they have the insight and expertise needed to shape strong plans, progress their priorities and advance the pan-northern ambitions that support economic growth.