Agenda item

To consider the implications of the Government’s recent policy statement ‘Network North’ in the context provided by Transport for the North’s role as to prepare and publish the Strategic Transport Plan.

Lead: Martin Tugwell

4.1          Members received the report of the Chief Executive who outlined the key aspects of the report, noting in the process that the preceding discussion had highlighted areas of concern that were themselves captured in the covering paper.

4.2          Mr Roy Newton raised the issue of constraints on the West Coast Main Line that will not be addressed because of the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham. He stated that work being undertaken by partners in the wider Crewe sub-region should not be taken in  isolation but coordinated as part of the wider commitment to level up the North. In this he requested TfN’s help with this as local partners develop their proposals.

He welcomed TfN’s support in seeking additional funding to enable partners to examine the implications of the cancellation of HS2 and what it means in terms of alternatives for local transport. 

The Chair highlighted the work being commissioned by Mayors Burnham and Street which will have an impact for the Cheshire area and stated that TfN would monitor progress with it.

4.3          Mr Rawstron stated that urgency is needed in getting the clarification on the strategic issues identified in the covering paper, emphasising that cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham has led to private sector investment being put on hold. He highlighted that in order for additional private sector investment to be unlocked there needs to be clarity provided as a matter of some urgency. 

4.4          Given the extensive discussion under the preceding item and the extent to which it had considered items set out in the covering paper for this item, the Chair moved the recommendations before the meeting.

Resolved:

1)   That Board approves the following advice to the Secretary of State:

 

i)            Until such time as an alternative set of proposal(s) for improved connectivity and capacity between the North and the Midlands has been identified, safeguarding associated with HS2 should remain in place;

 

ii)          Where there is agreement with the relevant local transport authority(ies) that it is appropriate, the safeguarding associated with HS2 should be lifted at the earliest opportunity;

 

iii)         Where funding is allocated through Network North this should be ring fenced for transport purposes, and authorities should be allowed to manage allocations as a programme of investment;

 

iv)         As the Secretary of State’s statutory partner, the Department for Transport should look to the TfN Board to provide oversight and leadership in co-ordinating activities of pan-regional significance arising out of the Network North document.

2)   That to improve efficiency of delivery, Board approves that TfN should work with the Department for Transport, the National Infrastructure Commission and other Government Departments, to build on TfN’s existing analytical capability to develop a Northern Appraisal Framework: one that whilst consistent with the requirements of HMT, better reflects the situation in the North.

3)   That Board approves the publication of the revised Strategic Transport Plan at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that the statutory framework within which specific proposals, including those identified through the Network North document, are brought forward is up to date.

4)   That it be approved that TfN work with the Department for Transport to update the Co-sponsorship Arrangement for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) so as to strengthen the role of partners in agreeing and then taking forward the NPR proposal in light of the Network North document.

 

5)   That TfN should engage with the National Infrastructure Commission on their proposed rail study for the North arising out of the National Infrastructure Assessment 2 (NIA2).

 

6)   That  TfN should work with the Welsh Government to determine the priorities for investment on the North Wales Main Line.

7)   That TfN should work with its partners to identify the resource requirements (both financial and skills) arising from the need for additional work to be undertaken in order to develop specific proposals as a consequence of the Network North document.