Decision details

Transport for the North is consulting on a draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North of England.  The county council has been closely involved with its development to date.  This report summarises the key messages set out in the draft plan and the rationale for the county council's proposed response, which is set out in Appendix 'A'.  Whilst broadly supportive, the county council has three key strategic concerns:

1)  With regard to Northern Powerhouse Rail, the council is concerned about inference and presentation in the draft plan.  Northern Powerhouse Rail should be more properly set within the wider context of the North's Long Term Rail Strategy, of which it should be part.

2)  With regard to the Major Road Network, there will need to be a consolidation of views between Transport for the North and the Department for Transport, as it will be self-defeating to have two such networks defined in the North.

3)  Given the implied absolute priority given to developing Northern Powerhouse Rail throughout the draft plan, the North West to Sheffield City Region corridor study needs progressing immediately and set alongside the ongoing Northern Powerhouse Rail work.

The county council's response also draws Transport for the North's attention to a number of key strategic priorities regarding the Strategic Development Corridors, which the council expects to inform the development of the final plan and to feature prominently therein.

The Cabinet approved the recommendation as set out in the report.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order 35 to ensure that the consultation response is submitted in time to meet the Government's deadline of 17 April 2018.