The Urban Transport Group \u2013 the UK\u2019s network of transport authorities \u2013 have released a report which says that English devolution is delivering real change across major cities, from enhancing connectivity to boosting housebuilding, but that it needs to go \u201cfurther and faster\u201d to unlock more economic growth.<\/p>\n
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The report charts the history and success of English transport devolution to the present day, and sets out recommendations on how to fully realise the benefits it offers for future growth. It includes case studies such as the Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester and the publicly owned and operated Supertram network in South Yorkshire.<\/p>\n
Outside of London, devolution has so far seen around \u00a330 billion of public spending devolved to metro mayors through increasingly flexible and long-term funding arrangements. Most mature Mayoral Combined Authorities are now in line to receive a fully integrated funding settlement, with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands first to receive this in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n
But the National Infrastructure Commission has found that a lack of effective transport infrastructure is limiting the productivity of city regions. To fully capitalise on devolution, the report recommends that the Government should:<\/p>\n
Jason Prince, is the Director of the Urban Transport Group, he said: \u201cTransport devolution is changing England\u2019s major city regions for the better \u2013 improving our public transport networks, boosting growth and setting ambitious plans for more homes. However, the devolution journey is far from complete. To fully deliver the government\u2019s Plan for Change and realise the benefits of economic growth, transport devolution most go further and faster.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding on the Government\u2019s White Paper, greater priority should be given to working with devolved areas to deliver sustainable investment solutions whilst also expanding powers in critical policy areas such as micromobility and rail integration.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Urban Transport Group \u2013 the UK\u2019s network of transport authorities \u2013 have released a report which says that English devolution is delivering real change across major cities, from enhancing connectivity to boosting housebuilding, but that it needs to go … Continue reading