Where Labour stand on key transport issues...

High Speed Rail

A 250mph network from London to Birmingham with a western branch to Manchester and an eastern branch to Sheffield and Leeds. Connections onto existing tracks would allow direct high speed services to cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool. Heathrow would initially be served by a connecting Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common, but a station at the airport itself will also be examined.

Railways

New franchise policy includes standard franchise term of 10 years for delivering basic requirements, with possibility of up to 22 years in exchange for significant infrastructure investment. Looking at new risk sharing arrangements to minimise chances of National Express-style franchise default, but also greater penalties should companies hand back the keys. Hints that franchise specification could be less rigid in future.

Network Rail

Labour's creation has now been firmly woven into the fabric of the DfT and there is little sign of any appetite to address operators' concerns about its dominant 'industry leadership' status. Changes the company's new chairman is considering to make Network Rail more accountable without the issue being forced are likely to be tacitly supported. Lord Adonis has all but guaranteed retention of current funding settlement.

Light Rail

No discernable policy or lead with promotion left to local authorities but funding and process tightly gripped by central government. Recently has again been willingness to fund light rail plans in Manchester and Nottingham, and in principle in the West Midlands. Radio silence on appeals to deal with problems that have dogged light rail throughout the government’s 12 years in office.

Bus

A halfway house, setting framework for regulation but unwilling to provide PTEs with the money to back up their ambitions to seize control of the industry with London-style franchises. New consultation suggests extending councils’ theoretical powers by allowing them to set maximum fares and reimburse operators. Also proposals to increase the time new services must run before amendments are allowed.

Aviation

See little prospect of curbing aviation demand in the south east and believe it is in the country's economic interest to accommodate it. A third runway at Heathrow subject to meeting environmental conditions and a new runway at Stansted are proposed. Have refused aviation lobby's appeals against increases to air passenger duty for environmental reasons and on the grounds that aviation must pay its way.

Road Pricing

Labour have no immediate plans to introduce a national road pricing scheme. Having once co-written a book on the Poll Tax, transport secretary Lord Adonis is wary of introducing a big new tax that effects everyone. He does not want the UK to be a global guinea pig for nationwide charging. Instead, he wants to wait and see how the Dutch get on with their plans to introduce nationwide road user charging.