DfT 11th November 2015 “Government plans to give the regions new powers to transform transport in their areas took a major step forward this week with the publication of proposals in Parliament. As part of the government’s drive to deliver economic growth across the country, including the creation of a Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, organisations like Transport for the North (TfN) are now closer to becoming statutory bodies.

The legal powers and duties being offered as part of this commitment to devolution will allow groups, such as TfN, to advise transport ministers on investment priorities in their own areas and on strategic transport schemes to boost growth. Statutory status will also give the groups the permanence they need to plan for the long term.”

See more here. The actual proposals – amendments to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill – can be read here (scroll down to notice 3). A previous TfN announcement is here.

Yorkshire Post article 11th November  here  “The Chancellor recently launched a new National Infrastructure Commission and suggested the North’s transport network should be one of its early priorities. That has prompted accusations that, having already created TfN, the Government is duplicating effort and is focused on developing plans rather than delivering improvements. Mr Jones insisted the two organisations would have different focuses but TfN would feed in advice to the infrastructure commission.”