The government must address regional transport inequalities in order to aid its ‘levelling up’ agenda, according to a new report published by the Sheffield Property Association and the London Property Alliance.
The report warns that without greater connectivity within and between cities, as well as into HS2 and the rest of the national rail network, city regions will continue to lag behind.
Based on this, the authors have made a series of recommendations to the government:
- The government should support Metro Mayors and combined and local authorities in the rollout of rapid transport systems.
- The UK must embrace public-private partnerships where public resources may be insufficient to get things built.
- More revenue-raising powers should be devolved to local and regional governments.
- Local taxation measures, combined with locally shaped priorities, are the best route for funding new transport schemes.
- Tram-trains and guided busways offer very significant potential for extending tram networks at a lower cost over the longer term
- Planning and funding of major new transport needs to be aligned and needs to be planned and delivered at a level above that of the local authority
- For larger-scale stations, planning needs to take account of wider public realm problems and regeneration opportunities.
- Future planning reform needs to recognise the link between new transport, housing and driving economic growth. The upcoming Planning White Paper should provide the opportunity to address this.
Martin McKervey, chair of the Sheffield Property Association, said: ‘A lack of urgency and vision from Government on transport infrastructure has not only stymied growth and impacted productivity in and around regional cities, but it also risks undermining its own ‘levelling up’ agenda.
‘City regions need greater autonomy and funding, supported by a national strategic vision. Regional leaders also need to step up as success requires strong City leadership to ensure their cities and surrounding towns can develop, with housing, jobs and transformative developments linked to new transport.’
Andy Burnham, Mayor for Greater Manchester has endorsed the study, he said: ‘Transforming everyday transport in places like Greater Manchester is arguably the single best way to level-up. It’s something where real, tangible change can, with the necessary impetus and vision, be delivered on the ground quickly to benefit not only public transport users but, when combined with housing, planning, environmental and wider economic policy, every part of a community.
‘I welcome the contribution of this report towards creating a national consensus on the contribution that public transport can make to our country’s future.’
Photo by Carl Raw
I read somewhere 55% of taxi & Private hire passengers are disabled, I also read the Transport Select Committee report on what types of transport will be be needed for disabled passengers, ‘Taxis & Saloon type vehicles’ it should be borne in mind not everybody can access a taxi or get into a taxi, TfGM offer D2D travel vouchers for those that can’t walk far or climb stairs, at times TfGM Ring and Ride service passes over trips to private hire operators and taxis to fulfil, there are train stations that are inaccessible to some disable people, but one rail company I know passes the passengers over to a taxi operator or PHV Operator to deliver the disabled passenger to the nearest disable friendly station, allegedly free to the passenger!
I remember attending a TfGM event in Manchester, several years ago, all transport bosses / directors were present along with many councillors, many different transport directors gave a presentation, but at the lunchtime break, I asked the master of ceremonies “Why hasn’t D2D transport been mentioned or invited to give a presentation on taxi and PHV? He replied, good point, both play a huge part in integrated transport!
After lunch the first speaker was a director from Manchester airport, but the MOC delayed him speaking to give a small positive note on how taxis and PHV’s compliment public transport. The airport director first words were, great point, totally agree especially during the night, they should be included!
How do you catch that first train in the morning? It’s not just non drivers that use Taxis and PHV’s, yet planners as this Manchester Shudehill transport interchange shows, hasn’t got a basic taxi rank, never mind set down and pick off points for family to drop off or pick up family, in GM there’s 13,800 licensed PHV’s and only 2,200 taxis!
People are living longer which will mean more people using D2D transport
with bad knees and hips’ as one Manchester lady councillor stated “ shes had a bad knee and she used PHV’s to get around the city centre!
D2D transport needs priority in any transport policy, it seems in Greater Manchester as this photo shows, is seriously lacking in who they invite around the table!