Transport North East

Our Team

Transport North East delivers transport policy and strategy, programmes and initiatives on behalf of the North East Joint Transport Committee. Our work covers the seven North East local authority areas of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland, on behalf of the North East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority

Some of our work includes:

Senior Team

Tobyn Hughes | Transport North East

Tobyn Hughes

Managing Director

Philip Meikle | Transport North East

Philip Meikle

Transport Strategy Director

Our leadership team are experienced transport professionals who guide the Transport North East team in regional strategy, policy and programme direction.

Derrick Gittins | Transport North East

Derek Gittins

Head of Heavy Rail

Derek’s team work closely with local, national and regional partners to develop and improve services, stations and infrastructure for both passengers and freight. It leads the North East Rail Management Unit (NERMU) and development of the new North East Rail and Metro Strategy. They work closely with Nexus and local authorities to develop business cases around the expansion of Metro and the reinstatement of the Northumberland and Leamside lines.

Heather Jones | Transport North East

Heather Jones

Head of Enhanced Partnerships

Heather’s team work to deliver the region’s ambitious Bus Services Improvement Plan and deliver the Plan and Scheme of the region’s Enhanced Partnership with the aim of growing bus patronage and encouraging modal shift across the North East.

Rachelle Forsyth-Ward | Transport North East

Rachelle Forsyth-Ward

Head of Policy and Strategy Development

Rachelle’s team lead strategy and policy development on behalf of the North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC), with the aim of achieving our vision of ‘Moving to a green, healthy, dynamic and thriving North East.’ The team work with key stakeholders to share knowledge and insights to strengthen transport provision across the North East, as well as working to ensure that Transport for the North’s (TfN) work reflects the ambitions of the JTC.

Jonathan Bailes | Transport North East

Jonathan Bailes

Head of Programmes

Jonathan’s team manage the region’s Transforming Cities Fund, Active Travel Fund and other major transformational investment programmes. The team also lead on the region’s competitive funding bids, securing millions of pounds each year to improve the North East transport network.

Contact us

If you would like to get in touch with us please email: info@transportnortheast.gov.uk

Postal Address:
Transport North East
C/o Gateshead Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH