Issue details

The draft STP2 contains much that GM would support, especially - in broad terms - the opportunity it provides to address pan-northern transport issues as part of a range of strategic ambitions to transform the region’s economic performance, and the commitment made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Given GM’s current and planned future role at the heart of both the Strategic Road Network and the rail network in the North of England, the consultation response will sets out what the GM city-region needs and how future and their impacts need to be fully understood to ensure the right investment is brought forward.

Unlike the first STP, the draft STP2 does not set, and map out, priorities for investment in the north, such as those relating to Strategic Highways (Road Investment Strategy 3), where TfN has been working the LTAs on the case, and priorities, for investment.
The draft STP2 does not set out a pathway to achieve the strategic priorities which are measurable in the next five, ten- and twenty-years’ time. TfGM understands that the STP2 is a document setting out TfN’s vision and strategic ambitions, but this could be enhanced with an accompanied document that details a clear pathway and timeline of how the strategic ambitions/priorities will be delivered. An example of this would be in TfGM’s 2040 transport strategy where we have set out delivery of our strategic priorities in the short, medium and long-term.
Given the position of Greater Manchester in, and the form of, the National Rail and Strategic Road networks, the operational and reliability issues arising at these locations have implications for travellers and businesses across the north, as well as for the city region, however the STP does not currently make a strong case for that investment.
While we welcome the STP call for delivery of HS2 and NPR in full, we are disappointed that the form of station for HS2 and NPR at Piccadilly is not mentioned. The firm GM position is that it is imperative that an underground station be provided at Piccadilly, which would allow NS2 and NPR services to travel through between Liverpool / Manchester Airport to Leeds / West Yorkshire / Northeast without reversing. We would request that this be included in the final version.