Long term transport strategy for Northern England published, but funding questions remain, says expert

Jon Hart of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, was commenting as TfN published its first strategy report, backed by the UK Treasury. He said that the initiative was an example of how "it is possible to get an idea from think tank to policy in a very short period of time in an election year"; but said that it was not clear how the "smorgasbord of initiatives" set out in the report would be paid for.

"TfN could become a powerful regional force, but this is probably going to require a degree of primary legislation and the processes of parliamentary time spent on new hybrid bills, not just eye-catching announcements," he said.

The publication of the strategy document was "to be welcomed", he said; "in that it appears to be encouraging the acceleration of HS2 beyond Crewe, coordinating this with new road development and looking at a degree of regional transport integration". However, the ideas set out in the document combined "already committed investments with huge unfunded sums", as well as the "more mundane but practical" idea to create a single regional transport 'smart card'.

TfN was announced in October 2014 by the UK chancellor, George Osborne, as part of his plans to create an economic 'northern powerhouse' by building closer links between the region's major cities. Its first report proposes investing in high speed rail to cut journey times between the cities, building a new road tunnel under the Peak District to better connect them by road and introducing 'smart' travel cards, based on London's Oyster card, and simpler fares across the region.

As part of the strategy, the UK government intends to connect the north of England to HS2, the planned national high speed rail network, sooner than planned by introducing a new hybrid bill during the next parliament. The purpose of this bill would be to connect the first phase of the line, which will run from Birmingham to London and is currently scheduled for completion in 2026, to Crewe by 2027. Work on a northern 'y network' linking Manchester and Leeds to the rest of HS2 is currently planned for completion by 2033, but the government also intends to look at the case for speeding up construction of the route between Leeds and Sheffield and allowing it to be used by fast regional train services.

In the longer term, TfN would hope to develop a 'HS3'-style 'TransNorth' rail network, with sections capable of speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. Ideally, this route would link Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull, with journey times between Liverpool and Manchester reduced to as little as 20 minutes. Supporting studies by Network Rail which are included in the report set out a number of different options for creating this route, including indicative costs at 2015 prices. These options range from upgrading existing routes to building completely new lines.

The government has committed to "immediate action" on simplifying and streamlining regional regulated rail fares, which include most commuter fares and some off-peak fares and season tickets. Work will also begin on developing contactless travel cards able to be used across the northern cities. Major improvements to road networks in the north, previously announced by the government, will continue including expanding the M62 to four lanes between Leeds and Manchester, and improving the A1 to provide roads of continuous motorway standard between London and Newcastle.

TfN will also look at better connections between Manchester Airport and neighbouring cities as part of its work, and will work with the government to produce a 'freight and logistics' strategy for the region. It will also be given an expanded role as a representative body for the whole of the north of England, led by an independent chair and backed by a further £6.4 million in central government funding, according to the report.

George Osborne said that connecting up the "great cities of the north" was "at the heart of our plan to build a northern powerhouse".

"This report has the potential to revolutionise transport in the north and we will work closely with TfN to help make it a reality," he said. "From backing high speed rail to introducing simpler fares right across the north, our ambitious plans for transport mean we will deliver a truly national recovery where every part of the country will share in Britain's prosperity."