Opportunities for development in the North of England

Ahead of the Northern Transport and Infrastructure Development Forum (organised by Waterfront Conference Company, Freshwater’s sister Company) Mark Lynam, Director of Transport, Housing, and Infrastructure for Sheffield City Region explores the opportunities for development in the North of England.

What areas of the North are most in need of new/improved transport infrastructure?

All areas of the North should have three ordered priorities:

1. Improving how people move around their regions.
2. Improving connections between each respective region of the North
3. Improving long-distance connections to London

However, it will be the first two that generate the biggest economic gain for the North, followed by some distance by improving links to London.

How can the North work collaboratively across the city regions to deliver maximum benefits for transport investment?

The role of TfN is absolutely essential in bringing City Regions across the North together, to harness the collective benefits of improved transport. However, this needs to avoid recreating a North-South divide across the North i.e. an East-West divide. All areas much benefit, not necessarily at the same time, but in different ways.

Where are the current areas that offer the biggest development opportunities?

Improvements to transport links between city regions which will create a far more joined-up labour market across the North.

To learn more about the opportunities for development in the North of England, register to attend the Northern Transport and Infrastructure Development Forum on 24th March in Leeds.