Major roads for the North

In response to the government’s proposal to identify a Major Road Network for England, Transport for the North, the statutory body representing civic and business leaders from across the whole of the region, has welcomed the idea and highlighted the roads in the North of England which should be included.

The proposed Major Road Network will identify local roads which are vital to economic growth, but are not part of the Strategic Road Network managed by Highways England.

Transport for the North and its partners have already carried out an extensive mapping exercise, aimed at defining the Major Road Network for the North. This network links the region’s important economic centres: major population centres, ports and airports, industry clusters, enterprise zones, universities, other key employment sites and major centres of tourism.

This defined network, which also provides connections between the strategic road network and transport hubs, was agreed with all 19 of the North’s local transport authorities and has formed the rationale behind Transport for the North’s response to the consultation.

Problems identified by TfN in the Major Road Network include the A690 and A1018 connecting Port of Sunderland to the A19, the A595 in Cumbria, the A1079 to Hull, the A666 connecting Blackburn to the M61 and Greater Manchester, the A59 connecting to Skipton to Harrogate and the A1(M), and the A54 connecting East and West Cheshire.

Peter Molyneux, Transport for the North’s Major Roads Director, said, “We agree with the Government that identifying and investing in the roads that will support economic growth is vital. We know that local expertise is paramount in ensuring that we get this right.

“Only 2% of the roads in the North are defined as strategic roads. Our research has shown that the region’s major road network represents around 7% of its roads, with 2% of this being strategic roads and the other 5% being roads managed by local authorities.

“We think that it is vital that this is seen as one integrated network rather than separate parts. After all, drivers turning from a motorway onto the road that will take them into a town or city centre do not care if the part of the route that delays their arrival at their destination is managed by Highways England or the local authority. They care that they are unable to reach their destination in good time.

“There are several major roads which do not appear on the Department for Transport’s draft map, but which we know offer crucial links for citizens and businesses and offer opportunities to facilitate economic growth. We have provided them with an exhaustive list and evidence base on where these gaps are and we look forward to seeing this information reflected in the final version of the Major Road Network.”

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