August 2023 Response to Transport for the North Strategic Transport Plan Consultation 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. This submission constitutes the response from the Railway Industry Association (RIA) North to the Transport for the North’s (TfN) consultation on the Strategic Transport Plan which sets out the vision, ambitions, and strategic priorities for transport in the North of England. 2. BACKGROUND TO RIA NORTH 2.1. The Railway Industry Association (RIA) North is the voice of the rail supply community in the North of England, representing RIA members across the region including the North East and North West and Yorkshire and the Humber. Rail in the North supports £7.7bn in economic growth (GVA), 154,000 jobs and £2.5bn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in delivering the Government's build back better, decarbonisation and levelling-up agendas1. We have five key workstreams, looking at: Decarbonisation; Innovation; Skills; Value for Money; and Digitalisation. 3. CONTEXT 3.1. Transport for the North has developed a draft of their second Strategic Transport Plan (STP) which sets the vision, strategic ambitions, and the North’s long term strategic transport priorities up to 2050. The Plan sets out the opportunities and challenges facing the North of England’s economy, people, and communities, and demonstrates how improved transport links can help the North achieve its true potential. Through public consultation, TfN aims to ensure that the plan accurately reflects the needs and aspirations of all communities in the region. 4. RIA NORTH SUBMISSION • RIA North welcomes the publication of this report, which is strikingly consistent with RIA’s own calls for the full delivery of the TRU, HS2 and NPR and for a rolling programme of electrification. The prediction of a growth between 78% and 193% by 2050 in demand is an important reminder that investment is needed now to prepare for the future. • The report demonstrates a clear link between investment and the delivery of desired outcomes for people in the region. With Oxford Economics data showing that for every £1 invested in the railway a further £2.50 is generated in the wider economy, RIA North stands ready to work with TfN and DfT to help make the case for this investment and provide practical support when it comes to developing and procuring major projects. • Our submission is supported by the RIA North Greener, Faster, Better: Decarbonisation Route Prioritisation2(2022) report, which sets out how the North’s railways should be electrified and the RIA North paper Delivering Value – Integrated Rail Plan3(2022) outlines a number of best practice approaches to support clients like TfN developing and procuring major projects. Further detailed analysis of the decarbonisation of rolling stock can be found in the 2020 report Development of a Passenger Rail Traction Decarbonisation Strategy published by the Northern 1 https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/OE_2021.aspx 2 https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Greener_Faster_Better.aspx 3 https://riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Delivering_Value_RIA_North.aspx
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