Political and business leaders in the North are set to approve a plan that will lay the foundations for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region for decades to come.  

A meeting today (Wednesday) for the Transport for the North(TfN) Board is recommended to approve the Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for the North of England.   

The blueprint, which updates the previous plan adopted in 2019, sets out the case to transform the North's transport system and will be used to shape TfN's advice to government on pan-regional transport priorities for the North of England.   

The meeting will also discuss the more immediate priorities to ensure the North's transport system functions effectively now.

On the agenda are the performance of Avanti West Coast and what steps are appropriate to improve its performance on such a critical route, as well as the National Bus Strategy, and rail reform plans, which are currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny.  

The revised STP plan:  

• Supports efforts to reduce car dependency and create the capacity required to grow patronage on our public transport network  
• Recognises the scale of change required in accessibility needed to unlock opportunity and reduce social exclusion by one million people by 2050  
• Sets out our pathway for near zero emissions from surface transport in the North of England by 2045  
• Puts in place a long-term ambition to treble the share of freight carried by rail.  

Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said:  "Our Strategic Transport Plan sets out Transport for the North's statutory advice to government on how the North, speaking with one voice, can reach a sustainable, socially inclusive transport network for the future, support growth and employment opportunities." 

Transport for the North has also welcomed an announcement of £38 million of funding from the Safer Roads Fund to 17 authorities in England, including £17 million for schemes in the North of England. 

Responding to the announcement Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive of Transport for the North, said: "This is very welcome funding for investment in making our roads safer.

"Our revised Strategic Transport Plan, which is recommended for approval by the Transport for the North Board today (20 March) has set a target to 'reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in traffic incidents to zero by 2040.' 

"It will take a lot of work to reach this target, from policy makers and politicians, highway engineers and road users themselves."