TRANSPORT chiefs have revealed a report outlining a “compelling case for change” - including priorities that could improve life for York commuters and businesses.

Transport for the North (TfN) has published the evidence that will inform its Strategic Transport Plan, which is due to be published for a public consultation later this year.

It has picked out priorities that should help bring jobs and prosperity to the region by making freight transport easier, improving commutes and connecting businesses.

Among those priorities are some that could hit York - from better rail links north towards Scotland, to the “Northern Powerhouse Rail” high-speed east-west rail link, to better roads across the Pennines and other rail links from North Yorkshire west towards Leeds and Lancashire.

David Brown, TfN’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “TfN has a clear mission to transform the North’s economy by intelligently developing our transport infrastructure.

“The publication of this evidence is a pre-cursor to our multi-modal Strategic Transport Plan, which will be published for consultation later this year.

“The work presents a compelling case for change, underlining the economic and strategic benefits of improving freight and passenger transport across the whole of the North to drive economic growth.”

TfN’s strategic plan is being developed to “transform” infrastructure across the North, the body has said, and it promises to boost the region by as much as a million jobs and make a £100 billion contribution to the UK economy.

Mr Brown added: “We want to enable the North to make a more significant contribution to the UK economy, through higher productivity, while also increasing job opportunities.

“This will require the delivery of a sustained and aspirational investment programme across the North to build infrastructure, strengthen skills, harness innovation and encourage smart and innovative technology.”

Transport for the North is made up of local councils, combined authorities, and business leaders across the North of England, as well as Central Government.

Later this year TfN is set to become the first statutory sub-national transport body in England.