Department For Transport
Introduction
Its great to be here in Newcastle, in what is my first visit to the North-East as Transport Secretary. And let me start, first of all, by thanking MartinTugwellfor the invitation.
Transport for the North is a valued partner, atirelesschampion of boosting connectivity across the region, both in public and in private. And your conference today will be a reminder, to anyone who needed it, that the success of the UK is increasingly tied to the success of the North of England.
And, to you Lord McLoughlin, or Patrick as I know you better, although frankly for the first large number of years that I knew him, he wasnt called Patrick, he was called Chief, as we call the Chief Whip. It was a job he carried out so effectively overseeing party discipline. That it all but guaranteed my attendance here today.There seems to be a theme of former Chief Whips becoming former Transport Secretaries.
Like Patrick, I was part of the government that, almost a decade ago, actually launched the northern powerhouse. The idea that by pooling the regions talent, leveraging its fantastic academic institutions, and connecting its great urban centres, we wanted to turn individually strong northern cities into a collective unit,that was greater than the sum of its parts.
It was an unashamedly ambitious target. And we knew it wouldnt happen overnight.
Yet despite the turbulence of recent years from a global pandemic to now a war on the continent of Europe there has never been a question of our commitment to the North ever being placed on the backburner, as some have claimed.
In fact, we redoubled our efforts to boost connectivity, accelerate devolution and revive former industrial heartlands into new engines of economic growth.
The spirit of that original mission, which we launched 9 years ago, is still alive today. A fundamental belief that a better connected, well-funded, and strongly represented North of England. isnt just essential forthisregion, but for the stronger economy thewholecountry needs.
Delivery
We all know the benefits of improved connectivity. The investment it attracts, the jobs it creates and the talent it retains. So even in this tough fiscal climate where last November, the Chancellor had to make difficult, yet responsible, decisions to restore economic stability we protected transport infrastructure spending across the North.
Take major roads. Across the region, weve invested 2.5 billion in the Strategic Road Network over the past 3years. Including upgrades to the Newcastle-Gateshead Bypass, improvements to the A63 at Castle Street in Hull, and just last year, completing the 110 million A1 Scotswood to North Brunton scheme. These will not just increase safety and connectivity, but reduce congestion, which acts as a drag on our economy.
But were also giving people alternatives to the car.
Our National Bus Strategy, and I agree about the importance of buses around twice as many journeys are made by bus than rail. Our National Bus Strategy transfers greater control over fares and timetables to local authorities, while giving operators the freedom to invest and innovate.
And its working. Because not only have I welcomed the North-Easts and North of Tynes Bus Service Improvement Plan, today, I can confirm they will receive 118 million this year to deliver improved services for passengers.
Now our commitment to buses stretches across the region, and indeed across the country. Last month, I extended both the Bus Recovery Grant and the 2 Fare Cap, which continues our support for a sector thats still recovering from the pandemic.
Here in the North-East, were also delivering a better railway with services on the East Coast Mainline bouncing back after the pandemic, with LNER the fastest recovering operator over the last 18 months. Well soon roll out single-leg pricing for tickets across the LNER network, giving passengers more flexibility in how they travel.
And with the new Azuma Intercity Express Trains having been built in Newton Aycliffe, passengersinthe North-East are riding on trainsbuilt inthe North-East.
But thats not all. Open access operators such asLumoare providing greater choice in this city, by making use of extra capacity on the network. And on the Tyne and Wear Metro, passengers will soon ride on a new fleet of modern trains, thanks to an investment of over 300 million from my department.
But today, I am delighted to put right an historic wrong thats lasted for 60 years. I can confirm wewillreopen the Northumberland Line next year, making available the necessary funding that will build 6 new stations across the route. Connectingtowns such as Ashington and Blyth to Newcastle, and breathing new economic life into those communities, delivered in partnership with Northumberland Council.
Now, across the North, local leaders have long called for more ambitious rail infrastructure spending, as was touched on and this government has answered that call.
And I think its worth saying that any government has to be honest. Easy promises to get applause at events and conferences like this around the country, are not credible if people dont have plans to pay for them. Ministers also have a duty to the taxpayer to set out well thought-through, costed promises.
This government is committed 96 billion Integrated Rail Plan that we set out, which will deliver high speed rail to Manchester and transform journeys across the Pennines. And work is already underway. Like between Church Fenton and York, which includes some of the busiest stretches of railway in the North. A combination of electrification, track replacement and modern signalling will lead to faster and more efficient journeys for passengers. Which is part of the major upgrade to the 70-mile Trans-Pennine route. Which is a central government commitment that surpasses what we spent on Crossrail.
However, one thing is obvious. Even with that investment, thesingle biggest investment since the creation of the railways right here in the North-East. That will be quickly forgottenifoperators cant deliver services arent up to scratch.
If passengers are regularly let down by industrial action, as a result of the unions refusing to put reasonable pay offers to their members. The Rail Minister, Huw Merriman and I have made it clear to the relevant Managing Directors that services on Avanti West Coast and Trans-Pennine Express routes must improve. Its good to see Avanti weekday services are starting to improve, but there is more to do so passengers dont face unacceptable levels of disruption of the past 9 months.
But also, if trade unions continue to reject pay offers, and refuse to undertake reforms, that are accepted in any modern industry, then it will be impossible to provide consistent and reliable services for passengers. It is not up for debate, about privatisation or nationalisation, its about building a modern railway which works as one coherent system in partnership.
Patrick spoke about my George Bradshaw address, and that was about partnership between the state doing that part of the job that it needs to do, and the private sector doing its part to get more passengers back on the railway. Its about improving the passengers experience, and if we dont do that and get more revenue, thats the only way we will build a sustainable and long-term railway, which isnt at the mercy of antiquated working practices that prevent a reliable 7 day a week railway or hold us back from creating resilient infrastructure.
Reform wont just benefit passengers and freight customers, but also the workforce, who want to be part of a growing and sustainable industry, and its only that that can fund the pay rises that they expect. Almost the entire industry recognises the need to move forward, including the TSSA, whose members recently accepted a 5% plus 4% pay offer over 2 years.
Its a great sadness that the RMT have refused to put that same offer to their members, seemingly intent on thwarting the modernisation of the railways. My message to them is simple: reconsider, a best and final pay offer has been made, your members deserve the final say, let them make that decision in a referendum.
Devolution
Now, Ive spoken about what were deliveringforthe North, but just as important are the powers were devolvingto the North. Over 75% of the region is now covered by devolution deals, including theNorth-East, which will form a new Mayoral Combined Authority under a single Mayor, and with a 1.4 billion settlement to fund local priorities.
You dont need to look far to see what a determined and empowered Mayor can achieve.BenHouchenhas revivedTeesideInternational Airport from the brink of closure. And opened the largest freeport in the country, which will attract investment and jobs. What Ben and others are doing across the North is important to me. Not just because as a smallandbig c conservative, Ive long championed the principle of more power in local hands. But because as a constituency MP in rural Gloucestershire for almost 20 years, I empathise with those who feel that Whitehall doesnt always understand the transport needs of local communities. It touched on the needs of rural communities, for example, to make sure weve got transport that fits our needs.