Transport for the North have published their Decarbonisation Strategy. The Plan outlines four priorities: rail electrification, improving public transport – including Northern Powerhouse Rail, developing a zero emission vehicle charging infrastructure and developing a route map for regional transport decarbonisation.

A wider action plan in the strategy explores the modal shift towards more sustainable ways of travelling such as public transport and active travel, zero emission vehicles including cards, HGVs and buses, the use of hydrogen and alternative fuels, opportunities for decarbonisation of the freight industry and reducing the embodied carbon with new transport infrastructure development.

Martin Tugwell, chief executive at Transport for the North, commented on its launch: “Our regional strategy shows how the North of England can lead the UK in decarbonising our transport system, and we will now take forward those activities at pace and ensure decarbonisation goals underpin all our work. This will embed sustainability within all transport projects and improvements, helping us build a greener North of England.”

“Together we have set ourselves an ambitious challenge, and it is one we are all fully behind and will work towards as a region with passion and determination.”

Responding to its launch, Sean Keyes (Sutcliffe), chair of ACE North West said: “The Strategy outlines some clear opportunities for ACE members to support regional bodies and local government in the North to decarbonise our regional transport.”

“The elephant in the room is whether the previously announced Integrated Rail Plan will provide sufficient improvements to the regional rail network to achieve these ambitious Net Zero targets, but the Strategy does outline some common sense and workable solutions which will encourage active travel, deliver vehicle charging infrastructure and electrify the regional rail network. All crucial if we are to achieve a near Net Zero transport network.”

To help members digest the announcements and ambitions of the plan, and outline some of the potential business opportunities, ACE has prepared a member-only briefing on the Strategy. Available to anyone who works for an ACE member, the briefing can be downloaded below.