The Trans-Pennine corridor (Liverpool to Hull in the North of England) is among the most densely populated areas in Europe (13 Mio. Inhabitants in the conurbations Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Halifax, Leeds). It faces high transport pressures on a diversity of transport infrastructure including Trans-European transport network corridors (priority axes No. 13 (M6),14 (WCML) and 26 (Trans-Pennine) as well as sea ports and international and regional airports. The aim of the case study is to test the implications of different definitions of sensitivity and corresponding transport policy instruments for traffic, environment and economy in such a densely populated region with high pressure on human settlements and the remaining natural assets (Ramsar and SPA sites around the ports, 2 of the 11 national parks in the UK, Areas of Natural Beauty as well as some of the key biomes not previously studied in sensitive area context - coast, estuary, upland etc.). This case study area is characterised by a high diversity in terms of terrain, natural capital, land use, activity, transport, and population, which allows transferring the results to a range of other areas. The corridor is an area of economic regeneration as part of the Northern Way initiative. This initiative is likely to be perhaps the most important development initiative in the UK over the next generation. Its aim is to develop the economy in a sustainable manner so as to provide a balance to the London growth pole and narrow the income gap. This is also likely to be a goal of development planning in other parts of the EU, and so provides useful experience for others. Therefore, it is of particular significance that all policy instruments will be analysed with a special attention to the economic and social goals developed.