17.03.17
Grayling puts backing behind TfN sub-national proposal
Transport secretary Chris Grayling has this week formally welcomed and supported Transport for the North’s (TfN’s) proposal to become England’s first sub-national transport body.
Should the proposal be successful, it would see the organisation have legal powers and duties devolved to the region and would come as a huge boost to the Northern Powerhouse plans to strengthen the region’s transport infrastructure.
As part of the proposal, TfN had to prove that by becoming a statutory body, it would improve outcomes for passengers by implementing the change. The organisation will now work through the plans and prepare for formal statutory status to be given before the end of 2017.
Grayling said: ““This is another important step forward for TfN and will help the region to speak with one voice on its transport priorities.
“The government is committed to working together with our public and private sector partners in the north to embrace the ongoing opportunities to deliver the Northern Powerhouse.”
John Cridland, chair of TfN, also commented: “We are pleased that the secretary of state has given his support to us becoming England’s first sub-national transport body.
“There is a clear desire from across the country to see the north get the kind of infrastructure needed to deliver transformational economic growth that would improve the lives of all who live and work in the region.
The TfN chair added that the organisation and it partners would be working closely in the next few months to ensure that plans to become a statutory body are achieved by the end of this year.
David Brown, chief executive of TfN, who wrote for the last issue of RTM, also explained: “Until now we have largely been working behind the scenes, gathering evidence and working with our partners to identify what needs to be done to create a plan for the north capable of delivering transformational change.
“Becoming a statutory partner will allow us to ensure the priorities we identify are formally considered by the government.”
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