Authority unanimously backs £1bn transport plan

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says the area now has the money to progress with the £1bn project

An authority's £1bn package of transport projects will progress after its members voted unanimously in favour of it.

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) approved proposals aimed at improving the area's transport infrastructure at a meeting on Friday.

Mayor Ben Houchen said the projects would "revolutionise travel" in the Tees Valley.

However, the plans were questioned by some council leaders, including Darlington's Stephen Harker, who suggested there had not been enough opportunity to discuss how each area would be impacted.

'Determined'

Mr Houchen said money released from scrapping the northern leg of HS2 gave TVCA's ambitious plans the "shot in the arm" they needed to progress.

The proposals include rail and road improvements, the repair and re-opening of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge and the introduction of electric trams in some town centres.

The Conservative mayor said the authority could get "spades in the ground in as many of these projects as we can as soon as we possibly can".

"We are determined to improve everyone’s day-to-day travel, but we also want to bolster our continued plan to make our region an economic powerhouse with access to good, well-paid, long-term jobs," he added.

Mr Houchen said the projects would "revolutionise travel" in the Tees Valley

What are the plans?

The list of projects agreed includes:

• £250m for Darlington North Link Road

• £150m to create a transport interchange at Teesside Park and to carry out work at Thornaby Station and Tees Marshalling Yard

• £40m to create direct rail services between Darlington and Hartlepool

• £30m to bring the Transporter Bridge back into action

• £20m to deliver the redevelopment of Teesside International Airport's railway station

• £20m for 15 trackless autonomous electric trams in town centres

'Plans must be evidenced'

Darlington councillor Chris McEwan, who is Labour's candidate in May's mayoral elections, said TVCA must not "lose sight of the basics" when moving forward.

"Investment is good and needed, but must be part of a coherent plan with ongoing discussions with those that understand the issues," he said.

"Any plan must be evidenced and focused on improving people's lives and the money we get needs to be used to the best effect, we need the most bangs for the dollar.

"Shiny trams are all good and well, but if we have potholes in our streets, what's the point?"