A ‘People First Approach’ For Transport in England

DHA Transport's Luke Coulston reports on the Secretary of State for Transport's speech to city region mayors and transport officials on Wednesday 28th November 2024 regarding the launch of a new national vision of transport that aims to join all modes of transport together and put people at the heart of the UK's transport system.

 

Making sustainable transport choices as easy as possible for the general public is a key consideration in reducing our carbon footprint and impact on the environment. This is greatly facilitated by the implementation of truly integrated urban transport systems, as has been demonstrated in European cities such as Amsterdam, Basel and Berlin, where one ticket will grant you access to multiple forms of transport.

 

 

What is the Transport system currently like in the UK?

 

Transport within England, however, is currently more fragmented. Rather than using one ticket, journeys within urban areas can require multiple tickets and the use of more than one app. This is an issue that the Government is now looking to tackle and in a speech to city region mayors and transport officials on Wednesday 28th November 2024, the Secretary of State for Transport set out her vision for a more connected and locally-led transport network across the country.

 

 

What did the Transport Secretary say?

 

During her speech, the Transport Secretary (Heidi Alexander MP) said the following:

 

“Integrated transport in this country is lagging behind our European counterparts, and for far too long our fragmented transport networks have stunted economic growth and made it harder for people to get around.

 

Today, I’m launching a new national vision of transport that seamlessly joins all modes of transport together, and puts people at the heart of our transport system.

 

I want everyone to be able to contribute to this vision and have launched a call for ideas on how the strategy can best deliver greater opportunity, healthier communities and better lives.”

 

Are there any emerging integrated transport networks in the UK?

 

Whilst England certainly lags behind many European countries in this regard, integrated transport networks are emerging in certain cities, with Manchester being a primary example through their Bee Network, where bus, metro and active travel are all brought under one brand, allowing for easier navigation without the use of a private car. The Department for Transport will be looking to examples like this, and those across Europe, for inspiration as their vision develops.

 

 

And what about public engagement on the new national vision?

 

The importance of engaging local residents in this process was also emphasised by the Transport Secretary, with this being an opportunity for their voice to guide and mould the transport systems that they will be seeing and using on a day-to-day basis. Regional roadshows will be hosted around the country to allow local leaders, transport operators, passenger bodies, and the general public to provide their own feedback on how best to deliver integrated transport. This will allow for different parts of England to tailor their transport systems to their own needs.

 

The Secretary of State also made the following comments:-

•   The Department for Transport will be reforming its appraisal system to ensure that projects deliver good value for money as well as positive outcomes such as jobs, improved access to education and healthier communities. This system will bolster those transport projects that enhance these outcomes, particularly in less affluent areas;
•   Data will be used to aid drivers within rural areas, where driving is the most practical transport option, such as in its use to manage traffic flows; and
•   Cycling and walking are the best choices for shorter journeys and therefore the maintenance of supporting infrastructure will be a top priority.

 

These steps, if given time to be implemented correctly, have potential to allow for interconnectivity not just within individual regions, but across England, bringing with it working opportunities, the transfer of skills, and the reduction of environmental impacts. We will now wait to see if these encouraging words translate into tangible results on the ground.

 

If you would like to discuss this article further, please contact DHA Transport's Luke Coulston or Adam Huckstepp.