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Transport

Transport is a major contributor to carbon emissions in our region, which means there is an urgent need for transformational intervention to deliver a carbon-neutral transport network in the North East of England.

The North East has pioneered the development of low carbon vehicles, with Nissan investments into the Leaf triggering investment into battery development and manufacturing, and parallel investments into charging infrastructure.    

Decarbonisation has been placed at the heart of the North East Transport Plan (2021-2035) and aims to improve health, air quality and the performance of our economy with an integrated focus on public transport, promotion of active travel, and decarbonisation of private and commercial vehicles.   

What the evidence tells us

Our evidence base shows that 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the North East LEP area are from transport. Follow the link below to read our full evidence base.

Explore the evidence

Partner think piece

In conversation with Philip Meikle, Transport Strategy Director at Transport North East

Read the think piece

Our assets

The Joint Transport Committee oversees integrated transport arrangements and operations across the whole area, working in partnership with organisations. It is committed to decarbonisation of the transport network through the Transport Plan and Investment programme. Current public investment priorities which will impact on emissions include:

Tyne and Wear Metro

Dualling of the remaining sections of track. Introduction of a new, more efficient Metro fleet.

Integrated rail and Metro

A new partnership to deliver a joint approach for metro and local rail services. The removal of diesel trains from the North East.

Bus network

Proposed new partnership arrangements. Improvements to Sunderland and Durham stations. Additional zero emission electric buses.

Active travel

16 routes in the National Cycling Network. Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plans in all local authority areas.

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

New and proposed additional facilities, including an enhanced EV filling station in Sunderland and rapid chargers.

Automotive sector

Additional investment into supporting low carbon vehicles and wider decarbonisation. Three battery manufacturing sites in Northumberland and Sunderland.

Challenges

  • Poor air quality hotspots around North East cities and towns, related to transport emissions, are estimated to be responsible for around 360 deaths each year in Central Tyneside alone. These hotspots face environmental directions from Government to improve air quality as soon as possible.
  • Car use is continuing to rise in the region, similar to the rest of the UK, with continuing consumption of petrol and diesel fuels. Dominance of the private car for commuting trips is a significant challenge for the region.
  • Public transport is not fully integrated, with complex range of brands, fare offers, and tickets deterring passengers, especially for cross-boundary or multi-operator journeys.
  • Rail and bus connectivity to some remote rural and deprived urban areas remains a challenge.
  • Heavy Goods Vehicles are disproportionate contributors to pollution, representing less than one tenth of all vehicles but roughly 40% of their carbon emissions.

Opportunities

  • Encourage shifts to active, sustainable and public transport journies, particularly in urban areas.
  • Home-working and digital acceleration can support a green Covid-19 recovery where travel needs are reduced and the rise in active travel is sustained through continuous investment.
  • Current investment plans will enhance the travel choices for residents and improve the image of public transport. We await the outcome of a regional bid from the Levelling Up Fund that, if successful, will deliver 52 zero emission electric buses, and 92 EV chargers.
  • Build on strong public support for active travel, better integration, improved public transport and a commitment to achieving net zero as set out in the North East Transport Plan.
  • Continue to develop support for transformational new public transport investments which will impact on emissions, such as re-opening of the Leamside Line and extension of the metro in the south of the region.
  • Accelerate investment into low carbon vehicles and key components including electrification and energy storage, including both manufacturing, and research and development.
  • Continue to build the regions charging infrastructure ensuring that LCV are the private and commercial vehicles of choice.

What we're doing already

We want to help people make the right travel choices, connecting them to jobs, leisure and key services as sustainably as possible by public transport, active travel or use of zero-emission vehicles. Moving goods around effectively and sustainably is also important to keep our economy running,

With deliveries consolidated at the edge of the urban core and then to make the final part of the journey on fewer, greener vehicles. There’s so much happening in this space – you can see from the inspiring examples below.

See all case studies