Introduction The case for Strategic Infrastructure and connectivity David Land North East LEP Board

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1 Introduction The case for Strategic Infrastructure and connectivity David Land North East LEP Board NELEP Contribution, requirements and value of infrastructure Key transport infrastructure in the north east and the contribution to connectivity SEP and Local Growth Fund delivering strategic infrastructure improvements Conclusion North East Local Enterprise Partnership Covers 7 Local Authorities in the north east Brings together business leaders, universities and politicians Fourth largest LEP in the UK A business-led, strategic partnership responsible for promoting and developing economic growth NELEP Strategic Economic Plan Strategic Economic Plan an ambitious vision to: create More and Better Jobs strengthen the area s economy provide more opportunities for businesses and communities invest in infrastructure SEP currently being refreshed in collaboration with NECA to reflect constant changes in the economic environment and alignment with complementary strategies. Contribution of Strategic Infrastructure Strategic infrastructure improves connectivity: Has a fundamental role in enhancing growth and supporting economic development across all sectors, Unlocks the potential of employment sites and other regeneration priorities, Enhances other assets, adding value to in other sectors, Connects business to markets, suppliers and labour pool Attracts Enables people to access jobs and services Promotes intra- and inter-regional connectivity Enables tourist economy in the region to grow Requirements of Strategic Infrastructure Infrastructure must : Provide fast, reliable, attractive and resilient connectivity by road, rail and sea to internal & external markets Improve access to priority locations. Meet current and future demand Enable seamless interaction with the local network 1

2 Value of Strategic Infrastructure Investment User benefits: Faster, more reliable journeys Greater travel opportunities Increased earning prospects Better access to key services Productivity benefits: Economies of scale Reduced production costs Development of specialist skills Larger labour pool Easier movement of goods Investment benefits: Area becomes more attractive for Virtuous circle of economic growth Strategic infrastructure and connectivity in the north east NECA/NELEP area key transport Infrastructure A1 A19 A66/69 East Coast Main Line Durham Coast Line Tyne Tunnel Tyne and Wear Metro Tyne Valley Line Ports of Berwick, Blyth, Tyne, Sunderland and Seaham Newcastle International Airport Aviation Newcastle International Airport (NIAL) - key economic asset for the area. NIAL provides essential connectivity on a national and international scale. North East directly connected to over 80 destinations from NIAL. Services to 6 hubs, opening up international markets accessible from North East. Value of exports shipped via NIAL has grown from under 20m per annum in 2006 to 245m in 2013, largely due to Emirates Dubai flight NIAL well connected to the strategic road network via A1. NIAL served by Metro connects the airport to Tyne and Wear and Newcastle Central Stationone of the region s key gateways. Roads North East linked to strategic road network by A1, A66, A69 and A19 Peak-time traffic congestion at key pinch points particularly at river crossings Current schemes include A1 Leeming- Barton and A1 Western Bypass to add additional lane Highways England published their first Roads Investment Strategy in December 2014 Plans for the north east including : dualling sections of the A1 in Northumberland additional lanes from A1 Birtley- Coalhouse & metrocentre to Scotswood major improvement infrastructure at A19 Silverlink and A19 Testos Rail Capacity issues on East Coast Main Line Need for reduced journey times to other northern cities Currently as quick to get by rail to London (270m) as to Liverpool (175m) Ensure the network and stations in this area are HS2-ready Potential to expand local routes and serve new markets through re-opened stations (eg Horden) or passenger lines (Ashington, Blyth and Tyne) Scope for more rail freight traffic to take freight movements off road 2

3 Ports and Freight Tyne Tunnel Link north east to international trade markets Port of Tyne - heavily used by Nissan to transport goods Cruise and ferry passenger services from Port of Tyne Growing traffic at Port of Blyth and Port of Sunderland Increased use of East Coast ports can reduce road freight traffic between Southern ports and Northern England Need for more interchanges for transhipment of goods between road / rail / water Construction of second Tyne Tunnel has: reduced congestion on A19 improved north-south connectivity reduced journey times Consistent growth in traffic since opening Transport for the North (TfN) Local transport authorities, combined authorities and LEPs from the whole of the North of England are acting collectively as TfN. TfN allows the North to speak with a single voice to Government. Working with Government, Highways England, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to develop a Northern Transport Strategy. The Northern Powerhouse: One Agenda, One Economy, One North published March 2015 and updated in March aim to build Northern Powerhouse and re-balance economy by transforming connectivity Transport for the North (TfN) TfN aims: A transformation in the connections between the partner areas in the north of England, Improvements to journey times, Improved quality and frequency of rail connections, Roll out of smart ticketing, Improved international connectivity, A more productive freight and logistics sector, Joined-up customer information, Reduction in traffic congestion and bottlenecks. Identifying infrastructure improvements required to achieve these aims and improve connectivity. TfN Proposals Rail Example Play a vital role in connecting the North East to national/international markets Recognise the need for in Newcastle-Leeds corridor and for improved trans- Pennine links Aspirational 60 min journey time between Newcastle and Leeds Local Examples 3

4 Northumberland Investment Zone A1 North of Newcastle Dualling Scheme The zone benefits from a national Highways England Scheme A local example of how improved infrastructure and improved connectivity could help to pump-prime an area An upgrade to provide 13 miles of dual carriageway between Morpeth and Ellingham. Work likely to commence the end of latter part of RIS 1 circa 2018/19 The International Advanced Manufacturing Park What? ha of employment/industrial land Automotive, renewables, advanced manufacturing Infrastructure : 80m public leveraging 300m of private 250,000sqm and 5,200 skilled jobs Investment in skills development Why? Supply of large scale strategic employment land drying up rapidly Demand driven by continuing success of Nissan PwC research indicates substantial sector growth locally Significant potential for onshoring and supply chain growth Important to the North East and the UK Consultation plan showing two alternative locations Next step = preferred option. The International Advanced Manufacturing Park A19 Testos Junction Raising the A19 carriageway above the existing ground level on an embankment and carrying it over the existing roundabout The scheme also includes improvements to the Downhill Lane section of the A19 Scheme commencement date is Autumn 2016 with a completion date of Autumn 2018 Merchant Park 104 acre Greenfield site Existing Planning Permission granted for up to 1.4m sq.ft. of B1/B2/B8 of commercial space 4

5 Merchant Park Other Strategic Sites Newcastle International Airport Business Park Cobalt Business Park Newcastle/Gateshead Urban Core Sunderland and Durham City Centres Enterprise Zones Team Valley Tyne Tunnel Corridor A number of strategic Housing Sites Planned major road schemes on the Strategic Road Network SEP and Local Growth Fund A19/A1058 Coast Road junction scheme- re-alignment of the A19 under the existing A19 roundabout. Works planned to commence in Spring 2016 and finish Summer 2018 A1 western Bypass Schemewidening to provide dual three lanes through the junctions alongside the replacement of Allerdene Bridge. Estimated scheme commencement date is the latter end of period 1 Strategic Economic Plan strategy for growth More and better jobs - but North East underperforming in several key respects Lack of connectivity, capacity, reliability and quality is impeding growth As part of SEP, LEP bid for funding from Local Growth Fund aim to improve transport infrastructure and connectivity In 2014 NELEP received 289.3m via the LGF m allocated to local transport schemes SEP and Local Growth Fund cont 14 highway and public transport schemes, plus a Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) Capital package, commenced delivery in 2015/16 funded by LGF. Majority of schemes were on road network. Now in process of bidding for funding for transport schemes from LGF Round 3. Schemes aligned with major development sites on the A1 and the A19 Contribute to access to round one Enterprise Zones Contribute to Highways England programme of and the Road Investment Strategy 5

6 Conclusion Significant progress to improve strategic infrastructure and enhance connectivity has been made Still room for improvement Aim to deliver improvements via TfN and funding streams such as LGF Smaller schemes (eg, walking, cycling, local road improvements) also deliver benefits and can complement large-scale infrastructure 6