Where the Tories stand on key transport issues...

High Speed Rail

Would give the go ahead for a new high speed rail line linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. This would later be extended to Newcastle and Scotland with further new lines connecting other cities across the country to our high speed rail network. If they win the next general election, they would target construction to begin in 2015, with full completion of the network by 2027.

Railways

Will make 15-20 year franchises the norm to encourage investment in new trains and infrastructure. Will put more weight on quality of franchise bids rather than assessing them almost exclusively on premium payments offered. Have vowed to end micromanagement by Whitehall and open the market for small and medium sized infrastructure works to bodies other than Network Rail. Vertical integration trials possible.

Network Rail

Would make sure the "behemoth" that is Network Rail is made accountable to its real customers, not Whitehall mandarins. A supervisory board with strong representation from operators and passenger groups would hold the company to account and set its strategy. The Office of Rail Regulation would be given powers to block the bonuses of senior management when they let down customers.

Light Rail

The Tories point out that most of Britain’s modern tramways were built under their governments, and that Labour has blocked further expansion since it came to power. But the Tories aren’t promising to sign cheques for new light rail projects in the current financial environment.

In a speech on ‘smarter choices and low carbon transport’ last year, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers didn’t even mention trams.

Bus

The Tories are firmly opposed to reregulating buses through Quality Contracts and would promote partnership between local authorities and operators. Competition guidance would be reviewed to ensure it does not restrict operators from sitting down with each other. They would also review the 56-day rule, claiming that an extended registration period would prevent services being destabilised by short-termism.

Aviation

The Tories are opposed to a third runway at Heathrow, claiming that it is an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Would also stop planned runway expansion at Stansted. They believe that underused regional airports can help take the pressure off Heathrow and the other airports in London and the south east. In some cases moderate development at regional airports would be allowed.

Road Pricing

The Tories claim that a national road pricing scheme is unwanted, unnecessary, and an IT disaster waiting to happen. They accuse Labour of bullying local authorities into local congestion charging in return for transport funding, and say that charging was rebuffed by Manchester’s overwhelming ‘no’ vote. Instead of pricing motorists out of their cars, the Tories say that should be given attractive and affordable alternatives.