One of the now-former UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s final actions prior to her departure from the job on 29th November, was her speech the previous day to Mayors and transport bosses, setting out a vision for more joined-up and locally led transport.
Speaking at Leeds Civic Hall, Ms Haigh outlined that there would be a new Integrated National Transport Strategy – the first in a quarter of a century – in what the Government has described as a “people-first” approach.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the aim behind the new strategy is to “join up transport networks, empower local leaders, and drive economic growth”.
The department added in a press release that the strategy would “set out a clear vision for how transport across England can evolve over the next 10 years so that more places offer better, more seamless journeys door-to-door – like those facilitated by the successful Bee Network in Greater Manchester and Transport for London.”
Ministers ask transport users and organisations to share their thoughts and suggestions
A call for ideas has been issued to support the strategy’s development. It asks respondents to share insights into their own experience of transport in England, alongside their thoughts on how it can be improved.
The DfT has said that it wants to hear from various stakeholders in UK transport – encompassing the users of any form of transport such as cars, trains, and buses, as well as frontline transport workers, and companies and organisations operating in the transport sector.
Ministers have indicated that the responses to the call for ideas will be considered as the Integrated National Transport Strategy is drafted. Interested parties can respond online between now and 30th January 2025.
How has the transport strategy call for ideas been received by key figures in the sector?
Among those responding to the issuing of the Integrated National Transport Strategy call for ideas was Mark Frost, Policy Director at the Transport Planning Society.
He described the open call as “a significant step in the right direction for the Government’s approach to designing and building public transport infrastructure,” adding: “An end to the current piecemeal approach to transport strategy is essential”.
Mr Frost said the new Government strategy needed to “aim for an attractive public transport system that delivers for the diverse needs of all transport users, with cheaper, and greener, and more reliable journeys.”
He added that a successful strategy would make this ideal a reality through the integration of transport planning with land-use planning at every level, in addition to making sure public transport is integrated with walking and cycling, and supporting UK transport’s swift decarbonisation.
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