Mayor's Local Transport Plan Consultation

The Mayor’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) sets out the North East Combined Authority’s (North East CA) transport priorities up to 2040 with a list of what we will build, introduce or change to create a green, integrated transport network that works for all.  

This draft document sets out a vision for what the network should look like, and how the new network will help us tackle our current transport and wider regional challenges. The accompanying delivery plan sets out how the region’s priorities will be achieved. 

Under the December 2022 and March 2024 North East devolution deals we have access to a new multi-year financial settlement for transport which is devolved to our region from central government, enabling us to plan and align our transport investments as our region sees fit.  

Delivery will be enabled by the suite of transformational funding, powers, and partnerships available to us through the devolution deals including bus reform powers and partnerships with National Highways (NH) and Great British Railways (GBR). 

Over the coming years, our region intends to build on this by securing further funding and powers to develop a fully integrated transport network. Using this LTP as a guide, the North East will seek accelerated delivery of existing projects, further strategic powers, surety of funding and delivery of major projects.

The Mayor’s Local Transport Plan lays out a blueprint to deliver a green, integrated transport network that works for all, by creating a connected network that is simple, affordable, and built to last. The goal is to make travel across the North East greener, safer, and more reliable, ensuring it is accessible to everyone, both physically and financially.

The Local Transport Plan aims to make sustainable travel the first choice for more people and businesses, helping us reduce emissions and improving connections between communities, giving people the skills they need to succeed and creating better wellbeing for all.

By delivering a green, integrated transport network that works for all, sustainable travel will be made more attractive, convenient, and safer for both the movement of people and freight. 

This will have a positive impact on communities in the North East, linking people to employment, education, health care provision, leisure opportunities and other essential services.

Further details of what the LTP doesn’t cover can be found in section 2.7 of the plan, but the main information that can be found elsewhere includes:

• Specific information on types of transport (routes, timetables, and ticketing).
• Airport operations, national rail services and port information.
• Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) and Rights of Way Infrastructure Plans (RoWIPs).
• Local highway management and investment proposals. 
• Information on the Tyne Tunnels, including tolls and payments. 
• Further details on regional sub-strategies and policies can be found in section 2.8 of the plan.

An integrated transport network should bring roads, Metro, rail, buses, the Shields Ferry, and active travel (walking, wheeling, and cycling) under a cohesive identity.

The network will be efficiently designed, simple and easy to use, and part of people's everyday lives.

High quality, integrated transport is important for the North East as it enables people to get to work, training, education, health services, meet friends, and for other leisure opportunities.  

A more integrated transport network could deliver affordable public transport fares, improves access to opportunities, including education, employment and healthcare and removes transport related social exclusion.

AQMA = Air Quality Management Area

ATE = Active Travel England

BSIP = Bus Service Improvement Plan

CTA = Community Transport Association 

DfT = Department for Transport

DP = Delivery Plan 

DRT = Demand Responsive Transport 

ECML = East Coast Main Line

ENCTS = English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

EP = Enhanced Partnership 

EV = Electric Vehicle

GBR = Great British Railways 

HGV = Heavy Goods Vehicle 

ISA = Integrated Sustainability Appraisal 

ITS = Intelligent Transport Systems 

KPI = Key Performance Indicator

KRN = Key Route Network 

KSI = Killed or Seriously Injured 

LCWIP = Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans 

LGV = Light Goods Vehicle

LTP = Local Transport Plan 

MaaS = Mobility as a Service

MRN = Major Road Network

NCN = National Cycling Network 

NH = National Highways 

PAYG = Pay As You Go

PHV = Private Hire Vehicle 

RoWIP = Right of Way Infrastructure Plans 

SRFI = Strategic Rail Freight Interchange 

SRN = Strategic Road Network 

TADU = Traffic Accident Data Unit

TAMP = Traffic Asset Management Plan

TfN = Transport for the North

TRSE = Transport Related Social Exclusion

UTMC = Urban Traffic Management and Control 

ZEV = Zero Emission Vehicle 

The Delivery Plan sets out the steps the North East CA intends to take to create a green, integrated network that works for all.

Interventions are separated in to time periods outlining the improvements that we intend to deliver by 2027, 2032, and 2040 aligned to our capital funding settlements.

It is a live programme which will be continually monitored and updated to ensure the most appropriate and beneficial interventions are delivered. This will support progress against the measures of success and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) highlighted in the LTP.  

The delivery plan includes a full delivery pipeline encompassing 327 separate interventions, outlining what we intend to build, introduce, and change by 2040 to deliver a green, integrated transport network that works for all. Key priorities that deliver on the commitments of the LTP, the Mayoral Manifesto, and Devolution Deals are included within the Delivery Plan.

The sum total of the pipeline of interventions included within the Delivery Plan indicatively stands at circa £8.7 billion, in order to deliver on the scale of this ambition, the Delivery Plan is supported by a funding programme that includes substantial capital funding secured through our Devolution Deal and the opportunity to lever further investment from both the Government and crucially, the private sector.  

We will also need to work closely with executive agencies and non-departmental Government bodies such as Network Rail (NR), National Highways and Active Travel England (ATE) to influence funding decisions within our region and we will be actively engaged in discussions to secure further integrated and devolved funding and look forward to working in partnership with the Government on this. 

In developing LTPs, authorities should consider how their plans relate to all relevant environmental issues, including carbon emissions, air quality, noise, landscape, adaptation to climate change and biodiversity. 

An Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA) has been undertaken to assess the environmental, economic, and social effects of the LTP and Delivery Plan. This is available to read alongside the LTP with onward recommendations responding to the ISA outlined within the Delivery Plan.