'There is an opportunity to build a New North after the pandemic', say region’s leaders
Northern mayors, council and business leaders will discuss key issues on transport today (Monday, 20 September).
Last updated 20th Sep 2021
The 3rd annual Transport for the North conference is taking place today (20th September).
Northern Mayors, council and business leaders are joining together to discuss key issues on transport inclusivity, funding and levelling up.
The afternoon sessions will focus on how transport can help to make the North more inclusive; the importance of getting the right schemes in the right places at the right time; and how to finance Northern transport schemes
Transport for the North Chief Executive Martin Tugwell said:
“We're delighted to be holding Transport for the North’s third annual conference, setting out how our ambitious vision to boost opportunities for our region’s people and businesses can be brought to life through investment in our transport networks.
Opening the TfN’s Annual Conference in Leeds, Mr Tugwell will highlight the importance of allowing the North’s political and business leaders to decide and deliver on transport needs.
The blueprint for doing this is set out in TfN’s Northern Transport Charter (NTC), a road map towards further devolution and funding control that would make levelling up real. These proposals are grouped around four key ambitions:
• Championing an inclusive and sustainable North
• A long-term Northern funding settlement (Northern Budget)
• Leading strategic transport delivery
• Putting rail passengers first
The Charter sets out how the people living and working in the North of England, as represented by the business and political leaders on the TfN Board, speaking with ‘one voice’, are best-placed to know what is in the long-term interests of the region.
“It’s so exciting to be bringing local political and business leaders together in one room, alongside government representatives and industry experts, to discuss how we can work together under the banner of levelling up.
“The panel sessions will showcase the need for change and demonstrate the practical, and innovative, plans and projects that we have set out to transform connectivity and overcome the decades of underinvestment that the North has dealt with.
"Our speakers bring to the conversation a wealth of insight, experience and data, which underpin our collaborative, strategic goals and have informed the many schemes and initiatives we now need to get on and deliver with Government backing. They’ll be looking at everything from post-pandemic economic recovery and encouraging people to return to public transport, to decarbonising our transport network and our future travel needs.”