Planning for infrastructure: challenges to northern England

Long-neglected, infrastructure planning has returned to the political limelight in the UK. While the debate has been preoccupied with the financial, efficiency and regulatory aspects of major infrastructure development, there is a lack of systematic understanding of the spatial issues. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the changing policy environment of infrastructure planning in regards to spatial distribution patterns in England. It also explores the knowledge gaps, policy questions and challenges of infrastructure development in the lagging northern regions. It concludes with a discussion aimed at shaping a future research agenda and actions for infrastructure planning in lagging regions.