Businesses plea to speed up TfN infrastructure plans
BUSINESS groups have urged Transport for the North (TfN) to do “anything” to speed up the improvement of infrastructure improvement in the region.
The organisation, which was given statutory backing in Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement , published its strategic report earlier in the week. It hailed billions of pounds of investment guaranteed for rail, road and smart ticketing in the region.
TfN chairman and former CBI boss John Cridland said he was “delighted” with the progress of the body’s “ambitious plans”.
He added: “Our vision to rebalance the economy will greatly benefit residents of the north and the United Kingdom as a whole. Looking to the future we’ll build on our research, which is underpinned by the first Independent Economic Review for the North, to devise a prioritised investment programme.”
However, business representatives for the region questioned the pace of delivery of much-needed improvements.
Richard Threlfall, partner at KPMG and spokesperson for recently-formed Business North, said the group welcomed TfN’s continued focus on the benefits of better transport to the region’s employment market.
But he added that the report provided “a useful reality check” on the plans.
Mr Threlfall said: “It’s sobering to note none of the projects will be delivered by the end of this Parliament. While we’re aware infrastructure doesn’t happen overnight, Business North would welcome anything that can be done to speed things up.”
He added that the group is “not convinced” the proposed combination of new and upgraded rail and road routes is “ambitious enough” to support the Northern Powerhouse.
Sarah Green, CBI Director for Nations and Regions, said TfN must move from planning to delivery to maintain momentum for the changes.
“It’s in everyone’s interests for politicians to take a long term view and invest in truly transformational infrastructure across the North of England,” she said.
