Transport for the North report reinforces importance of transport links

Credit: Transport for Greater Manchester

Businesses across the North of England have spoken out on the importance of reliable and efficient transport connections in a new report, highlighting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on commuting and logistics, their thoughts on the challenges of climate change, and how inefficient road and rail networks are constraining their ambitions.

The User Insight Phase 3 report, commissioned by Transport for the North (TfN) and delivered by SYSTRA, reveals the latest transport-related behaviours and attitudes of Northern businesses, covering key issues such as remote working, demand for deliveries, decarbonisation, and the importance of investing in the region’s infrastructure.

It highlights the shifts in travel patterns during the Covid-19 pandemic and the longer-term impacts; uncovers thoughts on electric vehicles and greening operations; and reveals how a lack of connectivity is creating uncertainty.

“This incredibly useful data uncovers a number of key opportunities and shows the importance of understanding the user perspective. Investing now in our road and rail networks, freight links, decarbonisation initiatives and active travel schemes, will make ‘levelling up’ real for people and businesses. Better connectivity will enable easier, more reliable access to jobs and new markets, and instil confidence and resilience for the future,” said Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive at Transport for the North.

“It also highlights the differing challenges for urban and rural businesses; small and large companies, showing that local insight into what our region needs is an essential piece of the puzzle when making decisions on which projects to invest in at which moments.

“It’s clear that our region’s businesses have strong ambitions, and need the appropriate infrastructure to support them. Through the region’s 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships that sit on our Board, we are representing our businesses and speaking with ‘one voice’ on how they stand to benefit from a sustained pipeline of investment in transport.

“We are using research like this, and a whole host of other important projects underway at Transport for the North, to inform and sense-check transport investment priorities. Our Northern Transport Charter sets out our offer to Government as to how we can work together to use this insight to deliver the New North.”