Recent government announcements have stirred robust discussions at PJA! The focus? The delicate equilibrium between strategic vs. local transport and rebalancing active travel with maintaining traffic flow.
Highlights from the Government’s latest Transport Vision:
Strategic to Local: The UK government has recently pivoted from projects like HS2 to the ‘Network North’ plan and a new ‘Plan for Drivers’. Despite the commitment to complete parts of HS2 (London to Birmingham), HS2 to Manchester is cancelled. A whopping £36 billion, previously earmarked for HS2, now backs this shift towards improving everyday local journeys. The allocation of funds across the North, Midlands, and the rest of the country showcases a diversified investment strategy. At PJA, we applaud the focus on local, but is it fully tested?
Local Transport Takes Centre Stage: By prioritising local transport, the government envisions a transformative commuting experience, under the ‘Network North’ plan. Extensive enhanced rail services across the north, but how might this work in a largely overcrowded Victorian rail network and in the absence of an integrated rail plan which had HS2 at its heart to free up capacity on local lines?
Economic Impacts: The partial completion of HS2 is expected to boost capacity and connectivity, but less than the original plan. However, the challenge now is to ensure that the £36 billion redirection results in a judicious taxpayer investment.
Addressing Commuter Concerns: Four million people in the North face accessibility issues to city centres. While the government’s intent to address this is commendable, how local authorities achieve this under new commitments outlined in the ‘Plan for Drivers’ and resulting weakened traffic management powers for local council’s remains an open question.
Impact on Housing Growth: With a shift in transport focus, housing strategies may need revision. Current and planned housing schemes, especially those aligned with HS2, will undergo changes. The further ripple effect? Improved transport links associated with Network North, may well open new development opportunities for developers, helping to deliver much needed housing growth.
Active Travel & Environmental Priorities: A noticeable gap in the announcements is a definitive commitment to active travel infrastructure. Amidst growing global sustainability imperatives, omitting net-zero targets is an unhelpful omission, especially given the government’s own net zero targets and when so many local councils have declared climate emergencies.
The Road Ahead: This transformative phase poses several queries: the repercussions on housing, economic returns, traffic management, the integration of active travel, and the overarching environmental impact. With local authorities gaining more autonomy, how will they craft their transport networks?
In conclusion, as these plans unfold, it’s imperative to diligently monitor and evaluate their cross-sectoral impacts. PJA remains committed to being a constructive voice in shaping the UK’s accessible and local transport future.
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