Transport for the North has announced that it has welcomed the second National Infrastructure Assessment, following its recognition of the role that connectivity plays in achieving the North’s potential.
Published by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), the report identifies recommendations to government so that infrastructure vital to national economic performance and prosperity can be improved over the course of the next 30 years.
The recent #NIA2 report by the @NatInfraCom aligns with our revised #StrategicTransportPlan, which sets out the strategic priorities and outcomes we want for the North of England.
— Transport for the North (@Transport4North) November 15, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/5P64YGqume pic.twitter.com/iyVr5tyuuW
In the build up to 2055, the report went on to highlight three important challenges that must be addressed to ensure economic prosperity, with these being:
- Decarbonisation and net zero
- Supporting economic growth
- Climate resilience and environmental improvement
Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt, said:
“There is pressing need to improve productivity and fix decades of economic depravity between regions.”
The priorities that were outlined in the assessment are similar to the ones that form a key part of TfN’s Strategic Transport Plan. This plan has identified the main priorities and outcomes that the organisation want to see implemented across the North of England, as well as stating the case for further investment that will help achieve these goals.
Multiple recommendations for the improvement of transport have been made throughout the assessment, with these including calls for more investment in mass transit, as well as maintenance and renewal across transport networks. This was supplemented by another call for £22 billion worth of investment to improve public transport in the major cities outside of London, with Leeds and Manchester sitting on a priority list.
In response to the report, Transport for the North outlined that it “remains resolute in making the case for investment in the North’s transport system and steadfast in the need for pace, if we are to deliver economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive for the longer term.”
Image credit: iStock
