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:
- Driving transformation change through the delivery of programmes such as the Transforming Cities Fund and Active Travel Fund.
- Strategy and policy development including the North East Transport Plan, Zero Emission Policy, the North East Rail and Metro Strategy and more.
- The region’s emerging Enhanced Partnership which aims to improve public transport – including coordination and delivery of the North East Bus Service Improvement Plan.
- Working with partners to develop and improve rail services, stations and infrastructure for both passengers and freight – including the Northumberland Line and Leamside Line.
Senior Team
Tobyn Hughes
Managing Director
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.
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
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
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
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