Wheels In Motion On North Yorkshire Transport Plan

Members of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority have taken the next steps toward developing a plan for integrated transport in the region.

The Strategic Transport Framework sets out transport priorities and direction for the authority, helping to aid decision-making and prioritisation for transport investment. Now agreed, it paves the way to produce a full Local Transport Plan for the region, which would go out for consultation early in 2026.

The framework identifies five key transport objectives, which are:

• Healthier travel
• Accessible for everyone
• Enhance safety
• Protect our environment
• Support economic growth

Initial plans include growing the bus network, exploring the case for franchising, improving ticketing and information, and identifying areas with poor public transport accessibility.

There are also plans to appoint an Active Travel Commissioner to deliver initiatives to encourage walking, cycling and wheeling. How transport can contribute to reduced carbon emissions and accessibility would be embedded across all transport schemes.

The framework has been developed working with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council and will support the Combined Authority’s emerging Local Growth Plan.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

“I’m excited to be taking the first steps toward delivering a full Local Transport Plan. York and North Yorkshire desperately needs a more integrated and accessible public transport network, as well as significant improvements to rail and greater opportunities for safer walking and cycling.

“Transport is key not just to supporting economic growth, but to better mental and physical health too. It connects us to jobs, housing, training, healthcare and leisure, to our families and friends. It’s something we all rely on.

“This framework is just the start of our ambition to create an integrated, sustainable transport system for York and North Yorkshire, offering people more choice over how they travel and helping our communities to thrive.”

During the meeting, the Combined Authority agreed to form a new Strategic Place Partnership, which aims to unlock and enable development and address affordable housing needs. The partnership includes Homes England, North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council and YNY Housing Partnership.

Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said: 

“It is great to see further progress being made by the Combined Authority that will make a real difference to people and businesses in York and North Yorkshire.

“Transport is something we all have opinions on and care about deeply. Making it easier for people to get around York and North Yorkshire will bring so many benefits to everyone’s connectivity, health and to the local economy. This new framework mirrors our ambition for York to be a healthier, more sustainable and better-connected city and we look forward to working with our partners at pace to make that a reality.

“The formation of a new partnership to unlock development and build more desperately needed affordable homes is another welcome step and I look forward to supporting the partnership as it gets to work.”

Leader of North Yorkshire Council, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“The development of a Local Transport Plan within England’s largest geographic county will allow us to provide a more effective and accessible public transport network that benefits all our communities. This is the first important step on that path.

“Transport and users’ journeys are not restricted by administrative boundaries, so it is right that we all work together collaboratively to develop a cross-boundary plan suitable for all who live, work and visit our region.

“This is just one of a number of areas that benefits from a joined-up approach. Affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges that we face so it is great to continue to address this together through the creation of the new Strategic Place Partnership.”

Economic growth, investment, housing and brand plans approved

• At the same meeting, further engagement to help develop a final Local Growth Plan was approved. The Local Growth Plan is a long-term economic strategy requested by Government but owned at a local level. Work has been underway since October, with a further round of engagement now due to run from March to May to ensure a final plan is “truly representative of York and North Yorkshire.”
   
• A grant of £8,782,899 for 2025/2026 was accepted by the Combined Authority to take a lead of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for York and North Yorkshire. A provisional schedule has been approved, splitting funding allocations across three themes: People and Skills, Support for Business and Communities and Place.
   
• A third call for the Combined Authority’s existing Brownfield Housing Fund was approved. Projects will be sought to add to 19 schemes already agreed, which are set to deliver 1,150 homes, half of which are affordable, across York and North Yorkshire.
   
• Members approved re-branding proposals. A new brand has been developed to support the communications and positioning of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority with its audiences, partners and stakeholders. This will replace an interim brand which was agreed in July 2023 and used for the first year of the organisation.

Papers and a recording of the meeting are available on the Combined Authority’s website at: www.yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk