Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 31 July (HL7214), what powers are held by Transport for the North, beyond offering advice to the Secretary of State.

The Regulations which established Transport for the North as a statutory transport body in 2018 require them to provide advice to the Secretary of State about the exercise of transport functions in its area. In addition, they are required to prepare a transport strategy, may co-ordinate transport activity across the area and make further proposals to the Secretary of State on their role and functions.

Transport for the North delivered its Strategic Transport Plan for the North in February 2019. They have provided advice to the Secretary of State on a range of transport matters, including the Roads Investment Strategy, Major Route Network priorities and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.