Apparently Transport for the North is a “talking shop”, even though it’s the Department for Transport which refuses to let TfN be part of the decision making process for essential schemes such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
TRU was announced in 2011 and re-announced in 2012. Since then, nothing. The DfT have failed to make, let alone implement, a decision as to the scope of TRU.
- They have failed to undertake to do the scheme properly.
- They have refused to be open and transparent about what is proposed.
- They have reneged on the commitment to upgrade all stations along the route (including Marsden) to provide step-free access.
- They refuse to say whether they will electrify the whole route, as they promised to do in 2011.
- They refuse to consult with communities and passengers along the route.
- They have yet to start construction anywhere along the route.
- Now, it seems, they blame others for their own incompetence.
In December 2018, SMART asked the then Secretary of State, in a meeting, whether TRU would deliver the basics of step-free access and a half-hourly stopping service for Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield and Mossley. The Secretary of State said he did not know, but in the following 19 months neither he nor his department bothered to find out and to provide an answer to this simple question.
[Article from the Yorkshire Post, 19th July 2020, follows]
The Government has insisted rapid investment in the North’s railways is key to rebuilding after coronavirus amid reports a multi-billion announcement is due to be made by the transport secretary this week.
Reports today have suggested transport secretary Grant Shapps is poised to announce a £6bn investment into northern railways this week, and the creation of a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council to drive through the trans-Pennine upgrade.
The Sunday Times reported the new body was expected to deliver Boris Johnson’s “Project Speed” promise to hasten the delivery of infrastructure upgrades, with a government minister due to sit on the council.
The newspaper reported ministers believe the current body, Transport for the North (TfN), is a “talking shop” which has done little to bring forward rail upgrades.
But experts pointed out that TfN does not have the funding, or powers, to deliver the upgrades.
Reports also pointed towards plans for a Department for Transport hub in the North, adding to previous reports of other government departments looking to move some civil servants to areas such as York.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman confirmed this week that the prospect of a government hub in the North was being explored.
A DfT spokesperson said today:
“We’ve been clear that, as we rebuild from Covid-19, we must invest in revitalising towns and cities across the North, to ensure we kickstart our economic recovery, deliver rapid improvements to journeys for passengers, and accelerate the delivery of key projects.
“We are working closely with Northern leaders to determine how to ensure that vital investment is delivered swiftly and effectively. We will announce further details in due course.”
