Welcome to the first issue of the Transport Works e-newsletter. Transport Works was launched in late 2011 supported by a new alliance of big city think-tanks and organisations - pteg, Centre for Cities, Core Cities and Campaign for Better Transport. Transport Works is the first website to bring together the evidence base for investing in urban transport in one place.
The Transport Works e-newsletters will bring you a round-up of the top transport investment case news stories, as well as a selection of stories that you might have missed. All the stories we collect are selected to provide you with the extra ammunition you need to argue for more, and better, urban transport investment. Each issue will also help you to get to know the Transport Works website through the 'Spotlight' section.
£15m of funding for sustainable transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker MP launched a new £15m growth package for cycling and walking on the 7th February aimed at supporting economic growth, cutting carbon and promoting healthier lifestyles. The funding will be divided between Sustrans (£8m) to create new routes and the Cycle Rail Working Group (£7m) to improve integration between cycle and rail at stations.
Government gives the go-ahead for HS2
Secretary of State Justine Greening confirmed government support for the HS2 project on the 10th January, calling it 'the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways' which would lay 'the groundwork for long-term, sustainable economic growth'. The British Chambers of Commerce welcomed the news on behalf of the business community, describing the project as 'essential' and arguing that 'Britain cannot continue to 'make do and mend' when it comes to its sub-standard infrastructure. Fundamentally, our global competitiveness is at stake.'
Deputy Prime Minister launches new 'City Deals'
The Government is keen to explore possibilities for a series of bespoke 'City Deals' which will see cities freed from Whitehall control in a number of areas, with the aim of stimulating economic growth. Transport is one area around which cities could negotiate for more powers. Launching the initiative, Nick Clegg described cities as 'the engines of economic growth'. On the 7th February Cities Minister Greg Clark announced the approval of a series of proposals from Liverpool as a City Deal.
Centre for Cities publishes Cities Outlook 2012
Centre for Cities' latest health check of UK cities suggests that there will be glimmers of growth for some cities this year. Each year, the Cities Outlook report pulls together city-by-city rankings across a range of domains, from employment and GVA to carbon and travel to work.
IPPR North highlights transport funding gap between London and the North
The think-tank's analysis of Autumn Statement announcements on transport infrastructure found that these amount to £2,731 per head for London compared to just £5 per head in the North East. Norman Baker has since criticised the report as 'incomplete'.
Rail station investment pays off
A study by Network Rail has found that rail station investment can boost property prices by a third as well as bring a range of other benefits to urban economies. The Birmingham New Street station rebuild, for example, will create 3,200 new jobs and 350,000 sq ft of new development.
Core Cities report finds that economic growth outside London is dependent on improved transport capacity
The study looks at the transport infrastructure required to deliver one million more jobs across the Core Cities Local Enterprise Partnership areas. The best case growth scenario will result in increased rail demand of at least 70% in the next 20 years, necessitating a significant increase in infrastructure investment.
Want all the facts on the case for urban transport investment at your fingertips? Why not download our Transport Works factsheet? It summarises the key arguments on how transport investment supports economies, reduces congestion, cuts carbon and tackles inequality as well as on the transport funding gap.
