Air quality
July, 2019
Working to improve air quality is a key challenge and priority across our members. Here are our five operational asks of Government which would help us to achieve this aim.
Sustainability
Resources
The cross-sector benefits of backing the bus
March, 2019
This report highlights how investing in bus services is key to achieving a wide range of policy objectives across Government.
The report also finds that the way in which bus services are funded is mired in complexity, with no oversight within Whitehall of how the various funding streams from different Government departments impact on bus services overall.
It also shows that all the main forms of funding for bus services are under severe pressure – in particular those that come indirectly from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government which support bus services that bus companies will not provide on a commercial basis. The report calls for a new ‘Connectivity Fund’ – which would bring together existing bus funding together with funding from other Government Departments into a significantly enhanced and ring-fenced pot for local government to support bus services.
The place to be: How transit oriented development can support good growth in the city regions
January, 2019
This report examines ‘transit oriented development’ - the principle of putting public transport front and centre in new residential and commercial developments, with the aim of maximising access by public transport, encouraging walking and cycling, and minimising the need to own and use private cars.
The report suggests that transit oriented development has the potential to meet housing need without undermining the green belt or creating more traffic congestion and sprawl. It also examines other areas where it can deliver wide-ranging benefits, such as to local economies; air quality and carbon emissions; social inclusion, employment and skills; health; and public transport patronage.
The place to be sets out a five point plan on how to realise more building developments which are based around sustainable, public transport and active travel.
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.
Air quality: Additional measures to support individuals and businesses affected by local NO2 plans
January, 2018
Consulting body:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Improving Air Quality
November, 2017
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Document:
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.
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:
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.
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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.
Horizon scan of implications of technological and social change
November, 2015
This report aims to provide decision makers with a guide to the implications for urban transport of transformative social and technological change and how they can best respond.
The report (which was produced in collaboration with Arup Foresight) identifies four key overarching trends:
- Changes in demographics and lifestyles and the rise of the sharing economy alter mobility choices
- Urbanisation, climate change and the need to improve air quality put pressure on transport systems
- Advances in technology and increased digital connectivity make transport infrastructure smarter and more efficient
- More powers are devolved to cities and city regions which results in more innovation and leadership in responding to urban challenges in locally appropriate ways
Delivering the future: New approaches to urban freight
February, 2015
This report highlights the essential role of urban freight in ensuring the effective functioning of the UK economy and presents a fresh vision designed to safeguard this role as well as protect the environment and quality of life for communities. It envisages that every opportunity should be taken for freight to make its way to urban areas by rail or water, either directly into those areas, or into the major distribution parks that serve them. It argues that those distribution sites should be located so that it is practical for goods to travel the last mile(s) into urban centres using zero/low emission modes. These last mile journeys should be achieved as safely, unobtrusively and with as little environmental impact as possible. The report explores a number of ideas that could assist in achieving this vision and calls for a broader, nationwide freight strategy to provide direction and leadership to the industry and its stakeholders.
Air Quality in the City Regions: A Transport Toolkit
August, 2014
Aimed at city region authorities, this toolkit provides an accessible overview of the issues and options for tackling air pollution associated with transport.
Making the connections: The cross-sector benefits of supporting bus services
July, 2014
The bus is key to achieving 46 policy goals of 12 of the 24 Departments across Whitehall including the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury, Department of Health, Department for Education and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This report shows how, despite these cross sector benefits, all the main forms of funding for bus services are under severe pressure and sets out how bus funding can be reformed.
Changing Highways Policy
February, 2014
This report to pteg by Atkins focuses on the most important recent and forthcoming changes to highways policy and the implications of these for Metropolitan areas, including in respect of air quality, carbon emissions, technology, the Strategic Road Network, road maintenance, road safety, planning, freight, management of road space and parking policy.
LSTF Monitoring and Evaluation Guidance - Final Report
May, 2013
Building on the work of the Department for Transport, pteg commissioned AECOM to prepare additional guidance for PTEs and other Local Transport Authorities to assist in the monitoring and evaluation of Local Sustainable Transport Fund projects. The guidance provides a practical approach to developing cost effective and affordable monitoring and evaluation programmes.
Thriving Cities - Integrated land use and transport planning
July, 2011
Setting out the stark choices ahead in new planning reforms, this report recommends three 'golden rules' for future planning policy. The report also highlights good and bad practice on transport and land use planning and calls for local authorities and Local Economic Partnerships to proactively draw up highly sustainable masterplans for development sites of key significance. More widely it argues that planning processes should universally include the bodies responsible for local transport.
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Cycling in the city regions: Technical report
April, 2011
This document reports the results of a series of modelling exercises intended to estimate the potential impact and value for money of a step change in the delivery of interventions to support and promote cycling in the six PTE areas. The purpose of this exercise is to support decision-makers in developing effective strategies aimed at increasing cycling levels in the metropolitan areas.
Cycling in the city regions: Delivering a step change
April, 2011
This report explores the potential impact of a step change in the delivery of interventions to support and promote cycling in the English city regions outside of London. It finds that the greatest potential for increasing cycling in the UK can be found in the city regions.
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Low carbon vehicles
April, 2012
Consulting body:
Transport Select Committee
Document:
Topic:
EU Communication: A Sustainable Future for Transport: Towards an integrated, technology-led and user friendly system
September, 2009
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Document:
Topic:
Delivering a Sustainable Transport System
February, 2009
Consulting body:
Department for Transport
Document:
Topic:
Recycle on the go
November, 2007
Consulting body:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Topic:
Carbon Reduction Commitment
October, 2007
Consulting body:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Document:
Topic:
Planning for a Sustainable Future White Paper
August, 2007
Consulting body:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topic:
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City transport bodies call on Government to make practical policy changes to improve air quality
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
A coalition of city region transport authorities have today called on Government to make five practical policy changes to help assist them in improving air quality in their areas.
Investing in ‘right’ transport policies key to achieving UK’s net zero goal
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Urban Transport Group has today responded to the UK’s move to legislate for net zero carbon emissions.
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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.
Climate advisors’ ‘clear route map’ for tackling transport emissions welcomed by city region transport authorities
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Supporting bus services key to achieving policy goals of Government departments, report shows
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
- New ‘Connectivity Fund’ needed to reverse significant cuts in bus funding
Investing in bus services is key to achieving a wide range of policy objectives across Government, a new report from the Urban Transport Group has shown.
Urban Transport Group strengthened as Northern Ireland’s public transport provider joins up
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Membership of the Urban Transport Group has received a significant boost today as Translink, Northern Ireland’s main public transport provider, has joined as an Associate Member.
South Yorkshire transport chief is new Chair of Urban Transport Group
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Stephen Edwards, the Executive Director of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), is the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group.
His appointment follows the end of the two-year term of outgoing Chair Tobyn Hughes, Managing Director at Nexus.
‘Transit oriented development’ can help meet housing demand and reduce car-based urban sprawl, says report
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
- Report sets out five point plan to realise more building developments based around sustainable, public transport and active travel
Transport crucial to achieving Government’s ‘Prevention is better than cure’ vision
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the Department of Health and Social Care’s ‘Prevention is better than cure’ vision, whilst also highlighting th
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