North�s strategic transport organisation attending Combined Authority meeting

Transport for the North�s Chair John Cridland and the organisation�s Chief Executive David Brown will be making a presentation to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Annual Meeting on Thursday 23 June.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is a member of the Transport for the North partnership and is leading the organisation�s work on Integrated Smart Travel and Local Strategic Connectivity.

The Combined Authority is also hosting Rail North, which brought together 25 transport authorities for the successful introduction of the new Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchises, and which is expected to be incorporated within Transport for the North.

Northern Powerhouse Rail

And the Combined Authority is working with councils and businesses across the Leeds City Region Council to identify the benefits and requirements of Transport for the North�s Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative, formerly referred to as HS3. Through Northern Powerhouse Rail, Transport for the North is developing the case for transformational change in rail connectivity improvements between the north�s six major cities plus Manchester Airport.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Chair Cllr Peter Box said: �With its role of leading road and rail investment across the north of England and delivering smart ticketing, similar to our own MCard smartcard system in West Yorkshire, Transport for the North is vital to our ambitions for economic growth for the City Region.

�As well as leading its work on Integrated Smart Travel and Local Strategic Connectivity, the Combined Authority has been consulting with the private and public sectors across the Leeds City Region about Transport for the North�s plans.

�As a part of Transport for the North, John Cridland and David Brown coming to our meeting on Thursday will be an opportunity for the Combined Authority to provide some feedback from that consultation process as well as learn more about their strategic vision for transport across the north.�

Good growth�

LEP Chair and West Yorkshire Combined Authority member Roger Marsh OBE said: �Transport for the North (TfN) has a key role to play in helping realise our ambition for securing good growth across Leeds City Region over the next 20 years, as set out in the recently revised Strategic Economic Plan.

�I am clear that in order to accommodate our vision for a growing, dynamic economy a step change in investment in our transport network will be needed both locally and across the North. The Combined Authority has started a consultation with business and district partners to inform Leeds City Region�s transport investment priorities. Alongside the need to develop a Metro style transport system for the City Region and strengthen our international trading links, the call to transform the connectivity of the North proposed by TfN is featuring strongly in the feedback we have received. I shall therefore look forward to taking the opportunity to support and help shape TfN�s proposals including exciting schemes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail�

Opportunity

David Brown, Chief Executive of Transport for the North said: "Both John and I are delighted to have the opportunity to attend at the Annual General Meeting and look forward to talking through our emerging plans, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, as well as receiving feedback from WYCA on their priorities.

"As an emergent statutory body we have a landmark opportunity to improve the frequency, capacity and speed of the North's transport systems. In doing so we want to create a globally competitive environment that can sustain economic growth for decades to come. Engagement with our stakeholders, in the public and private sector, will be central to the organisation's success."

Thursday�s Annual General Meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority takes place at 11am at Wellington House in Leeds.

Links to the meeting agenda.