Issue - meetings

 The Chair welcomed from Transport for the North (TfN), Robin Miller-Stott, Senior Strategy Officer; and Owen Wilson, Project Manager. A presentation was given on the revised Strategic Transport Plan, Investment Programme, Central Pennines Corridor and next steps.

It was reported that the objectives of the Strategic Transport Plan had evolved following the consultation which were now:

·  Transforming economic performance.

·  Increasing efficiency, reliability, integration and resilience in the transport system.

·  Improving inclusivity, health, and access to opportunities for all.

·  Promoting and enhancing the built, historic, and natural environment.

The Committee was informed that since the Strategic Transport Plan had become a statutory document the Department for Transport had to have consideration of the plan when taking decisions on national improvements. Likewise the Transport for the North Board took decisions that had been devolved from central government and had to have consideration for national improvements.

There were significant areas of employment in the North that TfN hoped to connect. Economic clusters in the North must also be better connected. One of the key findings of the Northern Powerhouse's Independent Economic Review was the distribution of prime capabilities across the area. These were advanced manufacturing, digital, energy, and health innovation. These prime capabilities also needed enabling capabilities to support growth in those areas being: education services, financial and professional services, and, the logistics sector.

The committee was informed that around 60% to 70% of commuting in the North was outside of the local authority where people lived which indicated that there was potential for people to travel further. It was vital therefore that there was a transport system in place to allow people to do this.

Regarding demand on the transport network it was noted that car travel was the dominant mode of travel. The rail network had only a 1.1% share of total trips. Capacity on rail services had increased. 

TfN was committed to sustainability and its Transport Plan supported a series of Government policies including the Road to Zero Strategy and Clean Growth Strategy. TfN supported the delivery of a low carbon Northern transport network including a zero carbon public transport network by 2050. The 'Pathway to 2050' would set out how TfN's implementation of policies would contribute towards meeting carbon budget targets. Work would also explore Sustainable Return on Investment in business cases.

It was noted that transport investment was not just about the economic case but the social case as well and how to ensure there was better social value for transport. Overall TfN's vision was for the transport plan to be an economic plan.

TfN was working to improve East / West connectivity especially through the Central Pennines corridor. This would benefit all of the North due to connecting some of the North's important economic centres. It was also working with businesses to discover the potential of current and future logistic hubs and how goods were being moved across the country. Members stated that East / West connectivity was vital and welcomed investment in this.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4