Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Home Government Union Connectivity Review: proposed transport investments for stronger and better-connected United Kingdom

Union Connectivity Review: proposed transport investments for stronger and better-connected United Kingdom

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to forging and strengthening transport bonds that will create a more cohesive and connected United Kingdom.

As the UK government publishes Sir Peter Hendy’s final report of the Union Connectivity Review, the Prime Minister has underlined the importance of better connections – on both local and national transport networks – to bring all UK communities within closer reach of social and economic opportunities.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “If we want to truly level up the country then it’s vital that we improve connectivity between all corners of the UK, making it easier for more people to get to more places more quickly.

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“Sir Peter Hendy’s review is an inspiring vision for the future of transport, which we will now consider carefully. Determined to get to work right away, we will set up a strategic UK-wide transport network that can better serve the whole country with stronger sea, rail and road links – not only bringing us closer together but boosting jobs, prosperity and opportunity.”

The Prime Minister has particularly welcomed, and intends to accept, the proposal for the creation of UKNET – a strategic transport network spanning the entire United Kingdom.

UKNET will assess and map out for the first time the key points across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom that are essential to stronger, more direct transport connections.

This will help boost economic growth, support job creation and level up opportunity by expanding the transport system and creating quicker and easier travel for passengers, freight and businesses alike.

The UK government has invited the devolved administrations to work collaboratively in defining and developing the necessary improvements to union connectivity, supported by specific projects, which will inform the UK government’s response.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Transport is key to binding the family of nations that is the United Kingdom closer together so that prosperity can be shared more evenly. It is not good enough that certain areas of the UK thrive while others fall behind. We must realise our full national potential and that means mobilising the resources and skills of all parts of this country.

“I am indebted to Sir Peter for his work. We will consider his recommendations carefully, engage closely with the devolved administrations, and work collegiately to ensure these proposals strengthen the ties that bind us, now and for the future.”

The independent Union Connectivity Review was launched in October 2020, led by Sir Peter Hendy CBE, to undertake how a detailed review of the quality and availability of transport infrastructure across the UK can support economic growth and quality of life.

Specific recommendations for improvements for connections across the United Kingdom include for improved connectivity with:

  • Scotland: proposals include reducing rail journey times and increasing capacity on the West Coast Main Line, and conducting an assessment of the East Coast road and rail corridor
  • Northern Ireland: upgrading the key A75 link to improve freight and passenger connectivity
  • Wales: improvements on the A55, M53 and M56, the South Wales Corridor, improvements to the North Wales Coast Main Line and rail links to the Midlands from Cardiff

The recommendations published today also include that the UK government should:

  • design and implement UKNET – a strategic transport network for the whole of the UK, and commit to providing additional funding to improve the network, in particular, the parts that are not performing well
  • plan improvements to the network using multimodal corridors, which should be reviewed regularly and appraised on a wider economic basis in order to support government objectives such as levelling up and net zero
  • support the development of sustainable aviation fuel plants in parts of the United Kingdom that are particularly reliant on aviation for domestic connectivity

Independent Chair of the Union Connectivity Review, Sir Peter Hendy, said: “My recommendations provide comprehensive, achievable and clear plans forward to better connect the whole of the United Kingdom, leading to more growth, jobs, housing and social cohesion.

“I welcome the enthusiasm shown by the Prime Minister and the government to my final report and I look forward to their formal response to my recommendations, which aim to spread opportunity and prosperity right across the United Kingdom.”

The UK government will now carefully consider the Union Connectivity Review’s recommendations in detail, working collaboratively with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to identify the solutions that work best for the people of the UK, and make tangible and meaningful progress as swiftly as possible.

In response to the government’s publication of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review, Andy Bagnall, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Improvements to cross-border rail services are a vote of confidence in the role train travel will play as a quick, easy and green way to get around the country.

“To maximise the benefits of the proposed improvements and get more people taking the train to travel across Britain, government should make long-distance rail fares simpler and limit the APD cut to routes where a journey cannot be made by train in less than five hours.”

Reacting to the Union Connectivity Review, Maria Machancoses CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “It’s fantastic to see Government support vital infrastructure projects that will better connect the Midlands and Wales, improving access to leisure destinations, workplaces and key services.  As well as welcoming further improvements in rail connectivity between Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Mid-Wales and Birmingham and Cardiff, the report also highlights the importance of strategic roads such as the A5 and Pant-Llanymynech bypass.

“We will now work internally and alongside partners to ensure swift progress is made in planning these improvements, so that connectivity benefits can be felt by communities as soon as possible. If implemented, the projects listed in the Union Connectivity Review will mean that lives and livelihoods can prosper across administrative borders, and that people can reach the jobs, healthcare and education they need to succeed. These links will also benefit businesses, smoothing trade, access to employees and supply chains.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), commented: “We welcome Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review published today. It is good to see mention of upgrade schemes, such as the West Coast Main Line and North Wales Coast Line electrification, as well as improving rail links in Northern Ireland, across the Midlands, and on the East Coast of England. All would help increase rail capacity in the UK, vital to providing sustainable transport options for millions of people and also freight in the future, and boosting long-term economic growth.

“We will assess how the development of the proposed ‘UKNET’ – a strategic transport network spanning the entire UK – will work in practice for our members, but a joined-up, strategic approach to planning UK transport connectivity of course makes sense in principle.

“RIA and our members will now work with partners across the UK on these recommendations. We await the Government’s response and hope to see confirmation of funding and scheduling for the upgrades shortly.”

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: “Better transport connectivity between the four nations is crucial to create a more joined up and prosperous UK.

“The landmark Union Connectivity Review has made some important recommendations which will help deliver a modern, integrated transport network. The creation of UKNET, offering strategic oversight to the whole transport network, along with multi-modal corridors and efforts to turn the UK into a sustainable aviation fuel powerhouse, will be particularly welcomed by business.

“Strong collaboration between the UK and devolved governments will be vital to making this vision a reality.”

Photo credit: Department for Transport

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