Chamber launches transport action plan for growth
Date published:
The North East’s largest independent business organisation has launched a report today (16 November 2021) calling for transport investment to support sustainable growth, amid concerns major rail projects could be cancelled.
In a detailed report, based on extensive consultation with businesses and transport operators, North East England Chamber of Commerce sets out the benefits of using mainline and public transport as a catalyst to transform the region’s infrastructure, boost recovery and build on strengths in energy and manufacturing.
Marianne O Sullivan, Chamber policy adviser said: “A transport revolution will only occur through coherent, sustained investment across local, regional and national infrastructure. We are therefore very concerned by the reports that the eastern leg of HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and upgrades on the East Coast Main Line may not happen.
“Increasing capacity in the Northern rail network will be crucial to addressing so many challenges that we face as a nation, including the levelling-up agenda, supporting businesses and in our efforts to decarbonise our economy. We need Government to be ambitious in its ‘build back better’ programme and commit to investing in truly transformational projects for the North.
“The Government’s own Decarbonisation of Transport Report highlights capacity on the rail network as key to supporting a significant shift from road to rail. Building rail capacity on the East Coast Main Line needs to be a key part of the integrated rail plan.
“Businesses have been facing huge changes due to the impact of the pandemic on how and where people work. There is now an opportunity to encourage more sustainable travel as businesses look at rail travel, public transport and active travel as part of their return-to-work strategies.”
Kevin Bell, Partner at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, a Chamber member, said: “It is important that we seize the opportunity to improve our transport offering. We need to be able to offer cleaner, smarter and more equitable solutions whilst ensuring that future infrastructure upgrades are delivered and additional transport funding is readily available to assist with the North East’s economic recovery.”
The report highlights the importance of accessibility to public transport in the North East as in 2018/19 8% of households in the region had no car or van, the highest level outside of London. It states the right transport links need to be in place to ensure that people without a private vehicle can easily travel and to ensure that a shift towards a green recovery with less private vehicles is attainable.
Marianne O Sullivan said: “Public transport needs to be seen as a vital part of our region’s recovery. We need to ensure that public transport is linked to our future plans for skills, towns and cities and housing.”
The Chamber’s view is also that digital innovation is essential to ensure that public transport can adapt to changing customer needs. During the pandemic transport operators had shared more information with customers around how busy services are to help with social distancing and to increase public confidence. Further innovation will be needed to encourage people to use public transport as restrictions are lifted.
In the report the Chamber states there is a definite need to see smart card ticketing operated across Metro, local bus and rail journeys within the North East. This will help people who travel across different modes of transport in the region and will reduce confusion around ticketing, giving more confidence to passengers.
Marianne O Sullivan said: “We need Government to give us the right investment to develop innovative ideas on our transport, coupled with everyone playing their part in using public transport more regularly. Little changes can make a huge difference to our region’s sustainability.”