Regional leaders make final call for comments on Decarbonisation Strategy

Northern residents have two weeks remaining to share their feedback on Transport for the North’s (TfN) strategy for achieving decarbonisation of the region’s road and rail network by 2045.

TfN set out its draft Decarbonisation Strategy earlier this summer, outlining how the North of England can achieve a target of near-zero CO2 emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the national target.

So far, thousands of people from across the region have already engaged with the consultation, but TfN and local leaders are calling on those who have yet to respond to share their views.

Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive at TfN, said:

“The need to decarbonise our surface transport network is vital in helping to tackle the climate emergency. It’s also an economic opportunity for our region, and we must also ensure we harness the innovative green growth potential across the North to realise our ambitions.

“Our pioneering Decarbonisation Strategy sets the North’s path to net-zero, outlining our goal to reach near-zero earlier than the national plan, and demonstrating the importance of investment in transport infrastructure and technologies.

“There can be no doubt that this is a crucial issue for us all, so we encourage people to get involved and help shape the future of this important work.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham: 

“If we are going to tackle the climate emergency, we need to work together and make sure we are all pulling in the same direction.

“Accelerating towards a decarbonised transport network must be at the heart of public policy making and investment decisions going forward, and I’m glad that the North is leading the way with this strategy as it will support Greater Manchester’s own ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. I would urge all residents to give their views in this consultation to shape the future of more sustainable transport and travel in the North.”

Consultation on the draft Decarbonisation Strategy closes at the end of August. The final strategy is then expected to be adopted by TfN’s Board in autumn, and then submitted to government as statutory advice for the region, forming the blueprint for transport investment in the future.

The draft strategy can be read in full on the TfN website, where responses can also be submitted.