There has been much written about the so called 'Northern Powerhouse' since it was first trailed by the Chancellor in October last year. The devolution agenda is now moving on at pace and the more specific 'asks' are beginning to emerge. Many of these relate to strategic transport investment designed to support economic growth. At a conference organised by the Built Environment Network in Manchester we heard from the key players across the whole of the transport sector – perhaps a unique gathering in what is a very crowded space.

At Deloitte we were keen to examine the detail and also see how in a very constrained financial environment transport investment can be aligned more effectively to deliver greater economic impact. The results of the conference summarised in the linked paper below were we think encouraging, for example;

  • We heard the highways agency outlining plans for locally based investment aligned to regional economic investment frameworks;
  • There was much to learn about the role of northern ports in delivering much greater trade and inward investment activity on the back of very focussed capital programmes;
  • In the aviation sector as passenger and freight volumes pick up there is clear evidence of 'spin off' investment in supply chain business activity.

Alongside this investment there is clearly also a major rail investment programme to consider. This will improve connectivity between and to northern cities, but also an importantly improve local connectivity and create further opportunities for economic investment.

The Conference illustrated a much closer working relationship emerging across the sectors – if the local authorities, effectively the drivers of the devolution programme, can continue to link the many different spending bodies together it should bode well for the future of the northern powerhouse.

Read the full paper - The Northern Economic Powerhouse

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