Public Transport in towns and cities
March, 2022
UTG evidence to Lords Built Environment Committee on Public Transport in Towns and Cities
Consulting body:
Built Environment Committee
Topic:
Governance
Resources
Building back better on urban transport
June, 2021
As the network of transport authorities serving the largest city regions in England, we worked together to keep the wheels of public transport turning during the lockdown so that key workers could get to where they needed to be.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet the challenge of ramping up public transport and prioritising cycling and walking to support a green and just recovery.
(Updated version June 2021)
Major transport infrastructure projects: appraisal and delivery
January, 2021
Our response to the Transport Committee inquiry into the appraisal and delivery of major transport infrastructure projects. This inquiry considers: transport infrastructure strategy and priorities; the appraisal and funding of transport infrastructure; oversight, accountability and governance of transport infrastructure projects; and factors influencing the cost and capacity and skills required to deliver the infrastructure plans.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Planning for the future
October, 2020
This is the Urban Transport Group response the consultation on 'Planning for the future', which examines proposed reforms to the planning system in England.
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
UK Transport Governance - an introduction
October, 2020
Read our updated briefing to find out more about how transport is governed in the UK.
Topic:
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
September, 2020
This is our submission to HM Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review 2020. In our submission, we call upon the Government to move on from its current 'patch and mend’ approach to closing the COVID-19 funding gap for public transport towards longer-term, secure arrangements. We argue that this should form the basis for wider reforms of the funding and powers of city region transport authorities. In practice, this would mean providing long-term funding packages for local transport similar to those already in place for national rail and roads, as well as upgrading the powers of city region transport authorities so they are more in line with those in London. This would ensure that transport authorities are fully empowered and funded to meet the challenge of a green and just recovery from COVID-19.
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
What next for urban transport?
September, 2019
This report - published to coincide with the 2019 Autumn Party Conferences - identifies four urban transport challenges and four solutions needed to overcome them.
It also details what transport authorities need from Government to bring about these changes.
On launching the report, Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group and Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: "There is much more that needs to be done if transport is to contribute effectively to meeting the many challenges that city regions face, from the climate crisis to public health challenges associated with a lack of physical activity. The right policies can help overcome these challenges."
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
April, 2019
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Document:
Topic:
Our asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport
March, 2019
This briefing sets out Urban Transport Group's asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport, based around four broad categories of people; funding and investment; the policy framework; and place-based impact.
Topic:
About towns: How transport can help towns thrive
November, 2018
This report examines the key role that transport interventions can play in supporting post-industrial towns.
It features case studies from the UK and the wider world of how different types of interventions - from transport’s role as an ‘anchor institution’ for local economies and as an employer, through to how transport interchanges can act as ‘gateways’ and sources of civic pride and renewal - can achieve results.
A key finding of the report is that isolated capital interventions in transport infrastructure are insufficient in themselves. Instead, more co-ordinated programmes of transport capital and revenue investment and support are needed if towns are to truly thrive.
Pages
UK Transport Governance - an introduction
October, 2020
Read our updated briefing to find out more about how transport is governed in the UK.
Topic:
Our asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport
March, 2019
This briefing sets out Urban Transport Group's asks of Government on Brexit and urban transport, based around four broad categories of people; funding and investment; the policy framework; and place-based impact.
Topic:
Doing more for less - How working together on transport cuts costs and saves time
October, 2018
The Urban Transport Group brings together and promotes the interests of Britain’s largest urban areas on transport.
Through working together as a network, we help to save time and money for our members by doing things once and collaboratively – rather than separately and expensively.
Saving significant costs for our members is just one benefit of being part of our organisation.
Topic:
Policy Futures - Seamless public transport
September, 2014
This policy futures paper highlights the growing appetite for giving larger cities outside London more of the benefits that London enjoys on public transport, and brings together the ideas from the other policy futures papers.
Policy Futures - Urban Transport outside London
September, 2014
This Policy Futures paper sets out the overarching policies needed to transform transport provision in the city regions in a way that supports wider objectives for growth, society and the environment.
Topic:
Policy Futures - Highways
September, 2014
This Policy Futures paper sets out the changes needed to better co-ordinate national and local highways policy to achieve wider economic, environment and social goals.
Topic:
Full guide to the Local Transport Act
December, 2008
A guide to the opportunities the legislation opens up for local transport authorities
Document:
Topic:
Building back better on urban transport
June, 2021
As the network of transport authorities serving the largest city regions in England, we worked together to keep the wheels of public transport turning during the lockdown so that key workers could get to where they needed to be.
In this paper we set out how, with the right policy framework from Government, we can meet the challenge of ramping up public transport and prioritising cycling and walking to support a green and just recovery.
(Updated version June 2021)
What next for urban transport?
September, 2019
This report - published to coincide with the 2019 Autumn Party Conferences - identifies four urban transport challenges and four solutions needed to overcome them.
It also details what transport authorities need from Government to bring about these changes.
On launching the report, Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group and Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: "There is much more that needs to be done if transport is to contribute effectively to meeting the many challenges that city regions face, from the climate crisis to public health challenges associated with a lack of physical activity. The right policies can help overcome these challenges."
About towns: How transport can help towns thrive
November, 2018
This report examines the key role that transport interventions can play in supporting post-industrial towns.
It features case studies from the UK and the wider world of how different types of interventions - from transport’s role as an ‘anchor institution’ for local economies and as an employer, through to how transport interchanges can act as ‘gateways’ and sources of civic pride and renewal - can achieve results.
A key finding of the report is that isolated capital interventions in transport infrastructure are insufficient in themselves. Instead, more co-ordinated programmes of transport capital and revenue investment and support are needed if towns are to truly thrive.
Policy futures for urban transport
September, 2018
The latest edition of Policy futures for urban transport emphasises how a new deal on funding and powers is essential to keep the UK's cities moving forward.
The report sets out the 10 key policy changes that are needed to make cities healthier, fairer and more prosperous.
These include further devolution of rail services; greater funding for buses; reform of taxi and Private Hire Vehicle legislation; an ambitious strategy to encourage more cycling and walking; a long term investment plan for urban rail services; and a visionary national policy framework on air quality.
Urban Transport Review 2017
December, 2017
"A lot has changed in urban transport over the past year," writes Lilian Greenwood MP, and Chair of the Transport Select Committee, in the foreword to the Urban Transport Review 2017.
In collaboration with Passenger Transport magazine, this Review features an in depth interview with our Chair Tobyn Hughes, our Director Jonathan Bray shares his key issues for 2018, and we profile some of the most significant changes to transport during 2017.
Topic:
Taxi! Issues and Options for City Region Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Policy
December, 2017
Our new report, ‘Taxi! Issues and options for city region taxi and private hire vehicle policy’, sets out the far reaching implications for cities of ongoing transformational change and growth in the taxi and PHV sector.
The report also calls for a new approach to taxi and PHV policy to ensure a good service for users whilst also making sure the sector contributes to wider public policy goals around public safety, congestion reduction, economic inclusion and air quality.
Topic:
Policy Futures
September, 2017
Policy futures for urban transport sets out how, with more focused governance in place, the city regions are delivering major investment programmes including on public transport, highways and active travel, and smart ticketing. The report says that - with the right national policy framework - further and faster progress can be made, including:
- ensuring that the benefits of transformative technological change are maximised including new ways of paying for access to transport, connected and autonomous vehicles and data;
- that barriers between different sectors are broken down so that the benefits that transport can bring to achieving wider policy goals - in areas like health, employment and education - are fully realised.
Rail Devolution Works
July, 2017
Our ‘Rail Devolution Works’ report argues that further rail devolution will enable other regions and areas to also radically transform rail services in a way that supports economic growth at the same time as improving the journey experience for passengers.
The report takes a detailed look at how devolution changed rail services for the better in Merseyside, on London Overground, in Scotland and in Tyne and Wear.
Total Transport: a better approach to commissioning non-emergency patient transport?
March, 2017
‘Total Transport’ schemes pool resources and vehicle fleets from across the public sector which are currently used to provide separate mainstream, social services, education and healthcare transport provision. Through pooling and coordination a better overall service can be provided at less cost to the taxpayer. However, it is proving challenging to get NHS non emergency patient transport services to participate in such schemes despite the major savings that could accrue from doing so. This briefing explains the scale of the potential opportunity from Total Transport schemes which include the NHS.
Topic:
Policy Futures for Urban Transport - our vision and roadmap
September, 2016
This report sets out our vision for how future UK urban transport policy could unfold in a way that enables the nation’s urban areas to deliver smart and sustainable growth that has far-reaching benefits. It looks at the great strides our city regions have already made and proposes fifteen ways in which national government and transport authorities can work together to create the transport networks urban areas need in order to fully realise their potential.
Pages
Public Transport in towns and cities
March, 2022
UTG evidence to Lords Built Environment Committee on Public Transport in Towns and Cities
Consulting body:
Built Environment Committee
Topic:
Major transport infrastructure projects: appraisal and delivery
January, 2021
Our response to the Transport Committee inquiry into the appraisal and delivery of major transport infrastructure projects. This inquiry considers: transport infrastructure strategy and priorities; the appraisal and funding of transport infrastructure; oversight, accountability and governance of transport infrastructure projects; and factors influencing the cost and capacity and skills required to deliver the infrastructure plans.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Planning for the future
October, 2020
This is the Urban Transport Group response the consultation on 'Planning for the future', which examines proposed reforms to the planning system in England.
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
September, 2020
This is our submission to HM Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review 2020. In our submission, we call upon the Government to move on from its current 'patch and mend’ approach to closing the COVID-19 funding gap for public transport towards longer-term, secure arrangements. We argue that this should form the basis for wider reforms of the funding and powers of city region transport authorities. In practice, this would mean providing long-term funding packages for local transport similar to those already in place for national rail and roads, as well as upgrading the powers of city region transport authorities so they are more in line with those in London. This would ensure that transport authorities are fully empowered and funded to meet the challenge of a green and just recovery from COVID-19.
Consulting body:
HM Treasury
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Protecting Users - Consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities
April, 2019
Our response to the Department for Transport's consultation on Statutory Guidance for Licensing Authorities on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Document:
Topic:
Local roads funding and governance
October, 2018
Our response to the Transport Committee Inquiry into the condition of local roads, their funding and governance. We suggest four actions for government to enable local roads to be bought up to the required standard and be future-ready.
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Document:
Topic:
Draft National Planning Policy Framework
May, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
Major Road Network
March, 2018
UTG response to DfT consultation on Proposals for a Major Road Network
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Topic:
National Infrastructure Assessment
January, 2018
Consulting body:
National Infrastructure Commission
Topic:
Improving air quality: reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities
June, 2017
UTG response to DEFRA and Department for Transport's consultation on air quality.
Consulting body:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Document:
Pages
Urban Transport Group responds to Spending Review
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Responding to today’s Spending Review, Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:
Government will miss carbon reduction objectives and levelling up goals without more local transport spending, warn city regions
Thursday, September 23, 2021
The Government will fail to meet its objectives around carbon reduction and levelling up unless it increases spending on local transport as part of the Spending Review.
Urban Transport Group welcomes Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to growing network
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
The Urban Transport Group (UTG) has today welcomed Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as its latest Associate Member, meaning UTG now has members from all ten Combined Authority areas, as well as from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Topic:
West Midlands transport chief is new Chair of Urban Transport Group
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Laura Shoaf, the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), is the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group.
Topic:
Empower urban transport authorities to build back better from COVID-19, urges report
Friday, September 18, 2020
Transport authorities can play their part in shaping a positive legacy of COVID-19 for the UK’s city regions, provided they are given both the funding and powers they need to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.
UTG welcomes new government’s commitment to invest in urban transport
Friday, December 20, 2019
Responding to the outcome of the election, and the Queen’s Speech, UTG Chair, Stephen Edwards, said:
Topic:
Critical challenges and solutions to improving transport in city regions identified ahead of party conferences
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
The challenges to improving transport in the UK’s city regions and the solutions needed to overcome them have been set out by the Urban Transport Group today.
Urban Transport Group welcomes appointment of Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP as Chancellor and sets out city region transport priorities for Spending Review
Thursday, July 25, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the appointment of Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and set out its priorities for urban transport in the Government’s forthcoming Spending Review.
Topic:
MPs are right to call for urgent action to tackle bus decline, says Urban Transport Group
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
MPs on the Transport Select Committee are “absolutely right” to call for urgent action to tackle bus decline in their new report into the health of the bus market in England.
National Infrastructure Commission is right to make devolved transport funding for cities a key test for Government’s future infrastructure plan
Monday, May 13, 2019
The National Infrastructure Commission’s call for Government to make devolved funding for urban transport to cities a key test of the Government’s forthcoming National Infrastructure Strategy is hugely welcome, says the Urban Transport Group.
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