Government to set up first ever statutory sub-national transport body

The Government has laid legislation in Parliament that will turn Transport for the North (TfN) into the first ever statutory sub-national transport body, with legal powers and duties.

TfN is a partnership of 19 local authorities, business leaders and 11 local enterprise partnership areas from across the North. Putting it on a statutory footing means that its recommendations must be formally considered by the Government.

The Department for Transport has also awarded £18.5m from a £150m government fund for TfN’s smart ticketing programme.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: “We are committed to the Northern Powerhouse, and to giving the great towns and cities of the North more say over transport investment through their umbrella body TfN. This Government is investing the most cash for a generation in transport projects for the North.

“These new powers will give TfN far greater influence over national infrastructure decisions, as well the certainty they need to plan and drive forward projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and smart ticketing.”

Independent Chair of TfN John Cridland said: “TfN gaining statutory status is an important step towards transforming the North of England and giving it the voice and powers it needs to move forward. To have the statutory instrument laid before Parliament is a tremendous achievement, having secured the support of 56 local authorities including all 19 of our constituent authorities.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners to transform the region’s infrastructure and grow the UK economy.”

The move means that from April, TfN will get new powers to:

• produce a statutory transport strategy for the North which the Government must formally consider when taking funding decisions;
• fund organisations to deliver transport projects, “for example, this could include transport operators delivering smart ticketing in the North”;
• work with local authorities to fund, promote and deliver road schemes - and be consulted on rail franchises in the North;
• take forward smart ticketing to bring in faster, easier rail travel.

TfN, should its members agree, will be able to request additional powers for consideration by the Transport Secretary.

After being approved in Parliament, the legislation will be made into law by the end of the year or shortly afterwards depending on legislative time. TfN will become a statutory body on 1 April 2018.