Govt should invest ?22bn in public transport, says NIC
The key to unlocking economic growth lies in improving public transport, according to the National Infrastructure Commission’s latest National Infrastructure Assessment.
With that in mind, the commission is advising the government to commit £22bn from 2028 to 2045 on major public transport projects. Of the £22bn, two-thirds should go to schemes in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol.
The assessment follows two years of research into the state of infrastructure in the UK and its role in different communities.
Manchester’s public transport offer is lacking, the commission found. It noted that only 20% of Manchester’s population can reach the city centre via public transport within 30 minutes. In similarly sized European cities, that figure averages to roughly 55%.
The commission noted that it would only get worse for Manchester, with an estimated 10,000 additional passengers to stretch capacity during peak hours in 2055.
As to what public transport improvement projects would look like, the commission shied away from specifics. In its assessment, it wrote “… the exact type and mix of projects is a decision for cities to determine with government based on the costs and benefits. Given major scheme lead in times, project planning and business case development should proceed as soon as possible”.
The government should not be the only one funding these endeavours, the assessment noted. It said that those regions benefiting from the investment should contribute at least 15% to 25% of capital costs.
HS2 was not without mention in the report, with the commission noting that the elimination of the Birmingham to Manchester leg “leaves a major gap in the UK’s rail strategy”.
The report added: “A new comprehensive and long-term strategy that sets out how rail improvements will address the capacity and connectivity challenges facing city regions in the North and Midlands is needed.
“Government should undertake an urgent review of rail priorities involving local leaders and bring forward a rigorously costed portfolio of schemes with clear delivery timescales.”
Remarking on the push to improve Greater Manchester’s infrastructure, Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Growing the size and productivity of Greater Manchester will help rebalance the country’s economic geography as well as create more well-paid jobs locally.
“Better public transport and easing traffic congestion is key to that. Greater Manchester is one of four city regions with a clear case for significant government investment in a step change in transport capacity.”
Learn more about road and rail projects in the North West. Book your Transport + Infrastructure ticket.[1]
References
- ^ Book your Transport + Infrastructure ticket. (www.placenorthwest.co.uk)