RESIDENTS across the Tees Valley are being asked their views on a transport plan to improve roads, railways and footpaths across the region.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority presented its transport plan ‘Connecting the Tees Valley to members of the transport committee today (November 30), signalling the beginning of a public eight-week consultation.

The Framework sets out the transport priorities up to 2026 and offers the opportunity for stakeholders, interest groups and the public to help inform the development of the Strategic Transport Plan.

The transport vision for the Tees Valley is ‘to provide a high quality, quick, affordable, reliable and safe transport network for people and freight to move within, to and from the Tees Valley’.

To do this the Combined Authority aims to improve rail journeys, with faster, better trains, maintain and improve roads and provide better bus services that are punctual and reliable, with improved passenger information and facilities

The Authority also wants to provide more walking and cycling routes and make it easier and safer to transport freight by road, rail, sea and air.

Bill Dixon, chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority transport committee, said: “Transport is central to helping the Tees Valley deliver its ambitious plans to grow the local economy.

“Over the next ten years we want to create 25,000 new jobs and build 22,000 new homes and the Strategic Transport Plan is vital to support this aim and we welcome feedback from all interested parties.

“The Combined Authority’s transport committee will continue to ensure that transport connectivity across the Tees Valley is a priority for decision makers, regionally and nationally.”