Haigh promises reformed appraisal in ‘people first’ integrated transport strategy

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has set out her vision for the Government’s forthcoming integrated National Transport Strategy, which, she said, will take a “people first” approach. The strategy, expected to be published next summer, would recognise that the quality of transport varies across the country and that different passengers have different needs.

Haigh said it would include reformed transport appraisal and “to oversee the new vision, her Department will be recruiting a new Integrated Transport Commissioner.”

Speaking in Leeds on Thursday, Haigh said the Strategy will= set out a “clear vision” for how transport across England can evolve over the next ten years so that “more places offer better, more seamless journeys door-to- door”. This would emulate the service being offered by the Bee Network in Greater Manchester and Transport for London, she said.

Inspiration for the strategy also comes from the city of Dijon in France, which Haigh visited earlier this year. She discovered that bus services run every five minutes during peak hours while trams run every three minutes, and there is a dial-a-ride service to the outlying villages. The city has also created a single app that brings together all modes of transport – including buses, trams, car hire, bike hire, and paying for parking, said Haigh.

Dijon, which is the capital city of the Burgundy region in eastern France, is roughly the size of York or Chester.

As previously reported in LTT, Danny Williams will lead operations, as the DfT’s Director for Integrated National Transport Strategy (LTT 899). This is in addition to his existing role as CEO of Active Travel England. Williams is also understood to have recently been to study transport in Dijon.

Alongside the new strategy, Haigh said the DfT is also reforming its appraisal system, “with the aim of ensuring that projects deliver good value for money as well as the right outcomes – such as more jobs, improved access to education and healthier communities.” This would give sufficient weight to transport projects that enhance access to jobs, boost productivity, and help businesses grow, particularly in less affluent areas, said the DfT.

The changes to appraisal are understood will see valuation of project benefits less linked to users’ incomes, treating all beneficiaries more equally.

To help this happen, an internal panel of experts is reviewing the Department’s capital spend portfolio and its basis of assessment in a bid to drive better economic outcomes in the transport system. LTT has earlier revealed that this group is being led by Rachel Skinner, the WSP Transport Director.

“Integrated transport in this country is lagging behind our European counterparts, and for too long our fragmented transport networks have stunted economic growth and made it harder for people to get around,” said Haigh.

The new strategy would “seamlessly” join all modes of transport together, and put people at the heart of our transport system, she said.

“I want everyone to be able to contribute to this vision and have launched a call for ideas on how the strategy can best deliver greater opportunity, healthier communities and better lives.”

The DfT will host regional roadshows around England to gather the views of local leaders, transport operators and passenger bodies, as well as taking feedback online from the public.

The Transport Secretary also wants to see the better use of data in rural areas “where driving is a more practical choice”. This, she said, would manage traffic flows while helping drivers easily find, and pay for, parking spaces.

Haigh also outlined her intention to promote cycling and walking as the best choice for shorter journeys, and prioritising pavement repairs, safe crossing and cycle infrastructure where they are needed most.

At the launch of the strategy in Leeds, in front of metropolitan mayors, council leaders, and transport bodies, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “A better integrated public transport system is vital to growing our economy. In West Yorkshire, I have big plans for a world-leading mass transit system that will be fully integrated with railways and a publicly controlled bus network, helping people to access new jobs and opportunities across the region.

“The Secretary of State’s new Integrated National Transport Strategy will support me and other mayors to deliver on our ambition for better-connected and faster growing regions.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood and the DfT’s Director for Integrated National Transport Strategy Danny Williamsare expected to add more detail at the Local Transport Summit