The Urban Transport Group – the UK’s network of transport authorities – has responded to the Chancellor’s transport investment package, unveiled today (Wednesday) ahead of next week’s Spending Review.

In a speech in Greater Manchester, Rachel Reeves will announce £15.6 billion of funding for local transport projects in England’s city regions – including South Yorkshire, North East, East Midlands and Tees Valley.

A number of the Chancellor’s announcements, such as confirmation of transport funding for city regions, investment in the delivery of zero emission buses, and West Yorkshire’s mass transit system, were included in UTG’s ‘Invest and grow’ report, published last month.

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

“The Chancellor’s backing of transport projects across England is a huge vote of confidence in how public transport delivers economic growth.

“With this move, Government is signalling that transport spending in city regions is not simply a cost, but an investment that is vital to promote a growing, green, equitable and healthy society.”