Transport in the North of England is going through an interesting period.
Whilst leaders in the North seem committed to delivering the infrastructure and connectivity that the communities and businesses need to thrive, actually realising those ambitions are becoming something of a challenge.
Speaking to delegates at Transcity Rail North, Transport for the North Chief Executive Martin Tugwell said:
“The challenge we all face at the moment is not making policy, it’s not making strategies, it’s about turning what we’ve got into reality… and then that combinational effect of things we have in the north comes to life.”
These transport connections are vital in achieving nationwide aims, as well as achieving the potential of the north of England. With last week’s Budget further embedding the government’s goal of growing the economy, Tugwell outlined a number of areas where rail will have a major part to play. As the economy begins to grow, more and more people will be travelling on the rail network, especially locally, as they travel to places of employment.
Tugwell expanded on this, telling Transcity Rail North attendees:
“Earlier this year, as we talking about the Strategic Transport Plan, there are numbers there that drive the work we do, and which are focuses of political and business leaders in the north.
“£118 billion a year is the extra growth in the economy if we unlock the potential of the north… We’ve got to get our heads together, stop talking, and actually make it happen, and that’s where rail is so important. It’s going to deliver that transformation across the north.
“If we’re going to deliver that step change, we’ve got to bring the great cities and towns of the north together, we’ve got use the focus around Northern Powerhouse. That’s the catalyst for that transformation and we’ve got to be confident. If it’s good enough for London to see the King’s Cross station development regenerate a whole area, if it’s good enough for Curzon Street to do the same in and around Birmingham, then why shouldn’t we have the same confidence?”
Should there be a step change in transport connectivity, not only will that additional £180 million bring economic benefits, it will also give people the opportunities and access to things that they need. With great work being done in towns, cities, and entire regions of the north of England, coming together and actually achieving those goals has to happen.
Away from economic growth and opportunity, the push to achieve even better connectivity between communities is also central to the people that live in those towns and cities. With 3.3 million people in the north currently living in areas that are at risk of being socially excluded due to transport, these communities rely on rail improvement across the north.
