Summary

People rely on transport to get around in their day-to-day lives. On-time trains and buses, roads free of traffic and routes for cycling and walking all keep a city moving. As cities grow they often become denser, more congested and more complex. Good transport, in turn, brings everyone ‘closer’ together, which saves time, money and helps businesses trade — all helping the economy grow. So investing in roads, trains, trams, buses cycling and walking infrastructure supports people, communities and the economy.

This report identifies the key challenges that need to be overcome if the transport systems in UK cities are to improve and provide the quality of service that workers, businesses and residents need, such as: uncertainty and short timescale of funding, limited freedoms to make transport improvements, and the lack of integration of transport, economic development and housing strategies.

It shows that London has overcome the majority of these challenges because it has more control over its transport and Transport for London has had huge success in improving the capital’s transport system.

Other cities need to have more say over their transport to help people get around. Through a ‘tailored devolution’ approach all cities should be given TfL-style powers to ensure road, rail and bus services better connect their people to work and businesses to customers.

Supported by Mace