The recent conference for the Transport for the North has highlighted a variety of new initiatives that will help them to produce the “Northern Powerhouse” that the Tories have been harping on about for the last few years. It is hoped that the commitment to transport and logistics will help the north to regenerate since it cannot possibly hope to so without appropriate transport and logistical steps that will help it to prosper in the future.  It is equally essential that the government does not merely dedicate itself to generating income for people already prospering in the large cities of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, etc.

Indeed, whilst there is much to be done to regenerate certain areas of those cities, numerous concerns have been raised that a lack of infrastructure will mean that not enough devolved resources will be extended to smaller towns in and regions in the area that are experiencing economic hardships. Indeed, areas such as Batley, Dewsbury and Bolsover will also need to benefit from the changes that are set to take place, and this can only be done if there is a vitally good and efficient logistics service that is able to deliver to those areas outside the major cities of the north. Concerns of this kind have already been raised by individuals, notably the great Dennis Skinner (MP for Bolsover) and it is evident that a Tory government that has so far spread more inequality than ever before between people in this country will come under intense scrutiny over the course of the “Northern Powerhouse” enterprise.

Members of Transport for the North, logistics directors and members in power that are initiating this project will have to ensure that the project results in a “Northern Powerhouse,” not a “Northern Poorhouse,” as Skinner puts it. Indeed, it is rather hard to tell at this point where the government is going with this plan, despite protestations by the Tory government that they are doing everything they can. Mark my words, dear reader: they are not.