Transport for the North gets firm legal footing to push TransPennine tunnel

Transport for the North is to be given the statutory responsibility to promote improved transport connectivity across northern England, including to "push forward" the manifesto pledge of a TransPennine tunnel, according to the Summer Budget's documents.

To date a partnership between local authorities and the DfT, TfN will be given £30m to establish itself as an entity in its own right, including appointing an interim chief executive and executive team by the autumn to "accelerate TfN's work programme". The Chancellor is charging it with developing a prioritised list of scheme options for a TransPennine tunnel by the Budget 2016 in one year's time, with an interim report in time for the Spending Review in the autumn.

The Conservative General Election manifesto had promised the first increase in TransPennine road capacity for 40 years after reviving the idea of Peak District road-building. TfN will also "transform easy-west rail connections," the Summer Budget document says, shortly after the transport secretary controversially "paused" the electrification of the TransPennine Manchester-Leeds line, insisting he favoured a "fast, high capacity TransPennine electric route".

The Campaign for Better Transport responded by urging a pause to the North's road schemes, as opposed to its rail schemes.

And the body has also been asked to advance the introduction of smart ticketing across bus, tram, metro and rail services throughout the region.

In addition to the new responsibilities for TfN, Osborne said yesterday he was now committing to "far-reaching powers over transport to the North's Mayor-led city regions to deliver fully integrated public transport systems". He said that progress had been made towards reaching a devolution deal that includes elected mayors in the Sheffield and Liverpool city regions and the "Leeds, West Yorkshire partner authorities" and two proposals for combined authorities in the East Midlands.

An announcement will be made in the spending review. He remained "open to any further proposals for devolution of significant powers in return for a mayor" before the autumn.