Joining up transport - GOV.UK

Speech JOINING UP TRANSPORT As transport enjoys a higher profile within government, connectivity and integration are at the core of the Department for Transport’s work. This was published

under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government Good afternoon everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here. And thanks to the All Party Group for inviting me to say a

few words today, after which we can open up the discussion and I’ll do my best to answer your questions. We are now less than 4 months away from the general election. And the newspaper

opinion writers are sharpening their pencils as they prepare to cast judgement on 5 years of Coalition government. But what will they say about transport? Well, first I hope they’ll

acknowledge that transport has a much higher political profile today than it’s had in the past. The Coalition’s overwhelming priority has always been to build a strong and stable economy.

And from the start we identified transport as a major catalyst for growth, providing the arteries that connect business with markets, and people with jobs. So the DfT became a core economic

department within the Coalition, which has helped us play an instrumental role in the country’s recovery. That’s been reflected in the amount of funding we’re channelling into transport. £70

billion of capital investment over the next Parliament. £38 billion to maintain and improve our railway up between 2014 and 2019. And a £15 billion commitment to triple roads spending in

England by the end of the decade. But it’s not just the amount of investment that’s changed. It’s how that funding is delivered too. In the past, transport planning has been too piecemeal.

Too fragmented. So instead, we’re trying to think about transport in a more joined-up way, that reflects how people actually travel. Which is really what integrated transport is all about.

It’s just as relevant on big projects as it is on local schemes. That’s why – for example – we asked HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins to look at bringing the benefits of high speed rail to the

north more quickly. Connecting the great northern cities through faster east-west links to create a Northern Powerhouse. And now that route has been mapped out. But he can’t develop this

line in isolation. So as part of the so called ‘HS2 plus’ programme, he’s working with the Highways Agency, Network Rail, local authorities and business leaders to produce a plan for high

speed rail that’s fully integrated plan with the wider transport system. Connectivity and integration are key considerations of other schemes like Crossrail, surface access to airports, rail

electrification, and station redevelopments like Reading and Birmingham New Street. The reforms we’re making to the Highways Agency are also designed to encourage cooperation and more

integrated transport planning. Long term funding will allow the agency to plan ahead with greater certainty as it delivers the UK’s biggest ever road upgrade programme. We’re also

encouraging greater integration at local levels. The Growth Deals under the single pot reforms give authorities the power and money to implement their own integrated transport programmes.

One example is in the Solent, where local transport infrastructure will link with a new junction on the M27 to support new housing developments and connect people with jobs. Devolution opens

up new opportunities for councils, Local Enterprise Partnerships, transport operators and passengers to work alongside each other. It’s really just common sense. By involving different

partners, final transport plans will reflect the interests of everyone who uses our roads. And reflect the way people actually travel. The DfT’s ‘door to door’ strategy is also encouraging

people to think about transport in a more integrated way. Giving them greater choice about their journeys, and making it easier to pick greener and healthier forms of transport. We’re

supporting this initiative with record investment in cycling, including our eight cycling cities. And we’ve provided extra funding for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, encouraging

councils to link up with LEPs and integrate bids. I’ve spent a lot of time travelling around the country seeing the benefits of a more joined-up approach - such as improved bike facilities

at rail stations, better local travel information for passengers, and smart ticketing, so people don’t have to buy separate tickets for travel on buses, rail, or trams. So while I don’t

underestimate the challenges ahead, there is fantastic work going on. And we’ve made big strides over the past 5 years. Now we have to build on that foundation – and help deliver a more

seamless, co-ordinated and integrated transport system for Britain. Thank you. UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 11 February 2015