Transport topping the agenda

Every MP and Peer in the region will tomorrow (March 6) get a personal briefing over key transport issues facing the region.

A delegation from the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, led by Chair Peter Box, is travelling to Westminster on March 6 to meet with regional MPs and Lords as part of efforts to boost the region's transport prospects.

The briefing will see MPs and Lords given individual packs detailing the region's transport facts and setting out challenges and proposals for working together to produce a more effective and efficient transport infrastructure to benefit businesses and communities in Yorkshire and Humber.

The event at the House of Commons is part of a stream of working the Assembly is undertaking with partners to maximise the region's case on transport.

This has already included:

• seeking a joint meeting between Assembly Chair Peter Box, Yorkshire Forward Chair Terry Hodgkinson and relevant ministers on how the Government might better support the region’s transport activity;
• drawing up a specific briefing on transport to help members and other partners better present the region’s case;
• meetings already held with civil servants.

In particular the briefing, which will also involve Chris Glen, the Chair of the Regional Transport Board and representative of small business on the Assembly , will focus on four particular proposals to make to Government.

These are the need to focus on improving links between Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester; links to the Humber Ports; strategic links north and south and public transport links in the main urban areas.

“Both the Assembly and other regional partners have identified improving transport- especially public transport - as the key challenge which needs tackling if we’re to build a better and more sustainable future," said Councillor Box.

“We hope the personal briefing packs and the meeting will enable us to discuss with our Parliamentarians the issues surrounding transport and the possible solutions required.

“Yorkshire and Humber has the least cash for transport spending per head of any region in the country and we will be urging the MPs and Peers to act to address this."

Chris Glen added: “The new Transport Board has adopted a partnership approach with Yorkshire Forward and other key regional players to plan delivery of the transport investments which are essential for sustainable growth in the region.

“Increased resources are central to this and at tomorrow’s event, we will be discussing with MPs and Peers new ways of funding the improvement of our transport systems."

Background

In the Yorkshire and Humber region

• The M62 and M1 are two of the UK’s three busiest motorways;
• Road usage has grown 20.7% in a decade;
• By 2012 journey times may be 90% longer than today;
• Congestion makes journeys unpredictable - a major issue for business;
• The East Coast Main Line carries up to 800 trains a day, including 200,000 tonnes of freight - but has no capacity for more trains. The new franchising proposals offer very limited opportunity to increase this;
• The TransPennine rail corridor links Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, York, the Humber Ports, Liverpool and Manchester Airport;
• Rail passenger numbers are up 50% since 1996 - but rail franchises and infrastructure are not keeping pace;
• Predicted growth in rail travel suggests overcrowding on many routes, notably the Harrogate, Bradford and Castleford corridors;
• The Northern franchise was let on a “no enhancement” basis to 2013;
• The Humber Ports are the busiest in the UK, with 40m UK consumers within a four-hour travel time;
• The capacity of the Region’s airports has grown by 177% since 1993