The STP covers 20 or so separate highway authority areas and sets out ambitious plans for investment over the next 30 years. For details, and a short video (worth watching – only a couple of minutes) and associated documents see the Transport for the North's website.

There is an extensive programme of consultation events, and we recommend you go along to find out more. For the location and the date of the events see the information below and/or the Transport for the North's website.

CPRE campaigns on issues affecting rural areas, and transport is a key theme. At first glance, we think there is a lot CPRE can be positive about in terms of policy for more integration of transport, including more strategic rail.

Naturally, we will highlight proposals if they fall below our expectations. We will make a compelling case that additional road capacity should be the option of last resort with due consideration of climate change and carbon budgets, environmental degradation (air quality and noise), and adverse landscape impacts.

We will refer to important local issues such as the Liverpool Port Access, and explosion of HGV distribution sheds on motorways, but, overall anticipate highlighting CPRE key transport policy to actively manage patterns of growth to make fullest use of sustainable modes, including:

• Integrated transport networks;
• Smart Growth;
• Fullest possible use of public transport (access for disabled) and physically active travel (NPPF);
• Car reduction – modal shift; and,
• Freight off roads – modal shift.
• We aim to have a first draft available by 9th March summarising key areas of support and concern.

We encourage people to echo our concerns to improve Transport for the North’s Strategic Transport Plan to best protect the countryside in northern England, for the benefit of all in the future.

The final response will be submitted by the 17th April 2018, which is the closing date deadline.

Transport for the North consultation dates

• Crewe February 19, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Crewe Alexandra Stadium 
• Liverpool February 28, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Liverpool Uni, Foresight centre, L69 3GL
• Blackburn March 1, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Kings Court, 33 Blackburn, BB2 2DH
• Manchester March 7, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Manchester Airport
• Chester March 15, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Storyhouse
• Blackpool March 19, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Blackpool Tower, Bank Hey St
• Lancaster March 20, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, The Storey, Meeting House Lane
• Warrington March 22, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Parr Hall
• Wigan March 26, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm , The Old Courts Gerrard Winstanley House