Following their victory at the 2024 General Election, the Labour Party have said they are committed to changes in both devolution of power and infrastructure, with significant implications for the North East region.
Labour’s manifesto promises devolution legislation aimed at transferring more power from Westminster to local communities. The aim here is it will enable Combined Authorities to have more control and responsibilities. This includes more power and control over transport, housing and planning.
For the North East, this aligns with Mayor Kim McGuinness’s focus of gaining more control over public transport. The manifesto’s commitment to review governance arrangements and provide greater flexibility with integrated settlements means the North East should expect more autonomy and resources to manage its regional priorities.
Yesterday, 9th July 2024, Mayor McGuinness announced that she plans to invest £8.6 million of her mayoral funds into developing the business case for the extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro network to include the town of Washington. This is the largest cash injection to date for the long-debated Leamside Line project and a perfect example of this increased autonomy and devolution of resources to work towards regional goals.
Labour also plans to address the current inadequacies in the UK’s infrastructure through a strategy that aims to align with industrial and regional development priorities, notably improving rail connectivity across the region.
As a planning consultancy with experience of regionally significant infrastructure and transport projects, we are preparing for an expanding role in shaping the region’s future under this new political landscape.
Contact us to discuss how our team of chartered town planners can help.