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TfN consults North East business leaders before addressing government

Transport for the North (TfN), the body aiming to boost North economic growth through improved transport and connectivity, was in the North East of late to share its Strategic Transport Plans.

In an event organised by NE1 Ltd and Muckle LLP, business leaders from across the region were privy to TfN’s infrastructural and investment plans before the organisation presents proposals to government later this year.

The Plan is being developed to transform the North’s economy through investment in the region’s transport infrastructure, a scheme hoping to help create close to a million new jobs and add almost £100bn to the UK’s economy.

Before publishing the plan and presenting it to Government TfN is keen to engage with businesses to discuss the plan and to seek feedback that could shape the final recommendations

David Brown, Chief Executive of Transport for the North addressed an invited audience of 40 business leaders including representatives from Greggs and UK Land Estates.

David Brown, TfN’s Chief Executive Officer, explained: “TfN has a clear mission to transform the North’s economy by intelligently developing our transport infrastructure.

“Working closely with our civic and business partners from across the North East and the rest of the North, we have been identifying the strategic corridors where infrastructure investment is needed to connect areas, enabling people and goods to move rapidly and reliably around the North.

“Events like the NE1/Muckle session allow us to brief business and to hear their views, which will help influence the overall Plan.

“The evidence base presents a compelling case for change, underlining the economic and strategic benefits of improving freight and passenger transport across the whole of the North to drive economic growth.

“Our Strategic Transport Plan which is due for draft release in the autumn, will include prioritised proposals to improve connectivity of these strategic corridors and by taking a pan-Northern view, it will be able to identify opportunities that previously were not considered.

Sean Bullick, Chief Executive, NE1 Ltd, added: “NE1 Ltd is uniquely placed to provide links with our 1,400 city centre business members, as well as access to the wider regional business community so they can hear about the TfN plans and offer their views and insight.

“Ensuring that the voice of business and industry is accurately represented when shaping and finalising transport plans for the North will be crucial and will ensure that we unlock the region’s full economic potential.

“Looking at transport from an economic growth perspective and in context is fundamental and we are confident that TfN will act on what we and North East businesses have to say.”

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