Transport for the North Annual Conference announced

• It will take place on 6 March in Newcastle
• Northern leaders will meet to discuss how to Transform the North

Transport for the North (TfN) has today officially announced its fourth Annual Conference will take place on Monday 6th March in Newcastle. Norther leaders will gather under a theme how we can best ‘Transform the North’ to deliver transformational change in the public transport system and leave a legacy for future generations.

The conference comes at a crucial time when devolution is high on the political agenda and will be a timely opportunity to discuss how investment in transport infrastructure underpins efforts to 'transform' and unlock the potential of the North of England.

It will also see TfN reveal the initial findings of the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review (NPIER) and our refreshed Strategic Transport Plan (STP). The conference will also see discussions on Transport for the North’s work in EV charging, Freight and Logistics, Active Travel, and Rural Mobility.

Transport is about long-term benefits, connecting people to facilitate growth and greater productivity. One of the biggest issues facing the North of England remains the need to address the decades of underinvestment in our transport system: poor and unreliable connectivity is holding our people and businesses back, constraining growth, and hampering accessibility and social mobility.

North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said:

"I’m alarmed at how bad our transport system has got. Kids can’t get to school. I’ve heard of businesses not opening because staff can’t get to work. The North deserves better.

"Until we get a public transport system that’s as fast as a car, that’s affordable, reliable and where everyone feels safe travelling day or night, we’ll never get the economic lift off we need or tackle the climate emergency.

"Join me at the TfN’s annual conference with other leaders, industry professionals and most importantly community voices – tickets are free. With the newly agreed devolved powers on transport, we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix this."

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

"In the North we’re being let down by failing train services, which are so poor they are dragging down our economies and impacting people’s day-to-day lives. We can’t allow this to continue.

"In the past few months, we’ve seen increasing focus on the needs of the North. The TfN Annual Conference will once again demonstrate how we, as Northern leaders and Northern people, are speaking together with one voice to ensure we get what we need to meet our ambitious plans for the future."

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

"We’re stronger together and I’m thrilled to stand alongside fellow Northern leaders making the case for a better-connected North. Right now, we have dozens – sometimes hundreds – of rail journey cancellations each week, now is the time for the North to map its own destiny and say ‘enough is enough’ to failing operators.

"People need to travel for work, college and to see loved ones and public transport is what brings us together and connects communities. Therefore it is vital we find ways to ensure future generations can make best use of it."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

"I’m looking forward to speaking at Transport for the North’s annual conference. By working together we can collectively find ways to continue the progress we’re making in places like Teesside.

"Events like this allows us to speak with one voice about what we need from our transport infrastructure to ensure the path we tread in our region is the right one."

Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said:

"We’re delighted to be holding Transport for the North’s fourth annual conference, setting out our ambitious vision to transform the North. At such a crucial moment, it is important that the North comes together as one to make the case for truly transformational change through investment in the North’s transport system and the need for pace, if we are to deliver economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive for the longer term.

"Our conference offers a unique moment when political and business leaders will gather in one place to meet and discuss the major issues impacting the North. And it will be an opportunity for us to discuss the refreshed NPIER and STP, which underpins the economic agenda in the North this decade."

ENDS

Contact Information

Media Relations

Media Relations

mediarelations@transportforthenorth.com

Notes to editors

You can view the agenda and confirmed speakers here. The conference agenda is evolving week by week, keep checking back to see who we have lined-up to speak.

For more information, or for image and interview requests, please email mediarelations@transportforthenorth.com or call 0161 244 1450.

Please note: Images must not be redistributed or reproduced without consent in content or articles not directly associated with Transport for the North.

All images must be credited to “Transport for the North” unless specified otherwise within the download link.

About Transport for the North

Transport for the North became England’s first Sub-national Transport Body in April 2018. We bring the North’s Local Transport Authorities and business leaders together, enabling our region to speak with one voice on the transport infrastructure investment needed to drive transformational growth and rebalance the UK economy.

Our vision is of a thriving North of England, where world class transport supports sustainable economic growth, excellent quality of life and improved opportunities for all.

We work with Network Rail, National Highways, and HS2 Ltd, and as a statutory partner to the Department for Transport, our recommendations are formally considered by Government when important transport decisions about the North are being taken.

In February 2019, we published our Strategic Transport Plan, a blueprint for how strategic investment in transport could support up to £100bn growth in GVA and create 850,000 jobs by 2050.

Find out more at: transportforthenorth.com and read our 2022/23 Business Plan.