Peter Molyneux has stepped down from his role as major roads director at Transport for the North (TfN) to take up a ‘semi-retirement'.

Mr Molyneux – a key figure in the country's only statutory sub-national transport body – left last week following the TfN board meeting.

His departure was announced during the board meeting, where chair Lord Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘Could I just place on record a very big thanks to Peter Molyneux [who] has given outstanding service to Transport for the North and tomorrow he'll be finishing.

‘We'd all like to wish him well in his semi-retirement – that's how he's told me it's going to be. Those of us who've moved into semi-retirement all know what a challenge that can be.'

Mr Molyneux has worked in local government for more than 40 years, of which 13 have been at chief officer level. His roles, which have mainly been in highways and transport, have included corporate director at Trafford Council and head of highways at Transport for Greater Manchester.