People across North East England are to be asked what matters to them for the future of the North East’s network of road, rail, cycle and footpaths in a major consultation taking place this autumn.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority Cabinet have set out ambitious plans to make transport greener and more reliable to improve opportunities for everyone in the North East – but they are asking local people what their priorities are before the plans are finalised.
The Local Transport Plan, the first for the newly formed North East CA, spells out ambitions for major investment in transport across all modes up to 2040, including how the Mayor’s manifesto commitments for integrated transport will be achieved.
When funded, the plan will be delivered in collaboration with local authorities and partners and includes a ‘live’ list of 327 schemes which will develop over the lifespan of the plan.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “I will make the North East the home of real opportunity and deliver green transport that works for all, including having the greenest transport system in the UK and improving safety for women and girls, and other vulnerable groups. Our new Local Transport Plan will set out how we will do this, with significant plans for investment to transform everyday transport for everyone in the North East.
“If agreed at cabinet, we hope to launch a major public consultation this Autumn where people can tell us exactly what they want to see reflected in the plan.
“Through transport, we can really enhance opportunities for local people as well as greatly improve public health and our environment, so it’s incredibly important we get this right. We want to deliver an integrated, sustainable and accessible network that works for all and we’re at the start of this incredible journey together.
“We are already investing millions in transport projects across public transport, rail, road and active travel, but there’s so much more to come. With future funding from government and other funding sources, we’re serious about improving how we all travel in the region – delivering both in the short-term, and for future generations.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The first North East Transport Plan was adopted in 2021, marking a collaborative approach to our region’s transport ambitions. The new draft Local Transport Plan builds on this substantially, the Mayor has brought forward several major transport priorities and I’m pleased to see such ambitious proposals that I’m confident will help us deliver huge improvements across all modes by 2040.”
The draft Local Transport Plan is expected to go to public consultation this Autumn and will include an accompanying proposed Delivery Plan which includes plans to:
- Improve the safety of women and girls and other vulnerable groups across the North East network including more Metro gatelines, safer stops and shelters, and an accessibility review by 2027.
- Take buses back into public control and deliver a new integrated transport network.
- Expand and improve infrastructure – including investment in infrastructure such as the shields ferry, Metro and across the bus network - including new stations, as well as maintenance and renewals across the region.
- Invest in road and rail schemes – including the re-opening of the Leamside Line, extending the Metro to Washington, upgrading the East Coast Main Line, A1 dualling from Ellingham to Scotland as well as a number of other junction upgrades.
- Deliver free travel for under 18s and launch ‘tap on tap off’ contactless payments for Metro by 2027 – and region-wide by 2032.
- Invest in active travel infrastructure across the North East to boost walking, wheeling and cycling and launch a new region-wide bike and e-bike hire scheme.
- Boost electric vehicle charging infrastructure – helping more people to make the switch to low-carbon transport.
The Mayor added: “We’ve worked together as a region to set our initial priorities for transport – this will map out the direction for North East transport up to 2040 and I look forward to working with local people during the consultation to shape our future.”