What do we want? When do we want it? - Transport User Priorities
When the new Government is taking future transport decisions there are some clear priorities emerging from Transport Focus’s research which could help guide it.
As the economy continues to pick up, more people will travel. Long-term, sustained investment is the key to successful transport services. The five-year Road Investment Strategy is a big step in the right direction for the users of the Strategic Road Network in England whom we now represent.
Backed up by significant funding, Highways England can plan, procure and deliver projects in a more effective way than was possible in the past. The supply chain can have more confidence to gear up and invest. The end result should be more effective and value-for-money investment.
"Highways England, Network Rail and their contractors should learn from each other. As the Smart Motorway programme is rolled out, schemes unfold and, at the very least, extensive resurfacing takes place, there will be a lot of roadworks."
This approach mirrors the way the rail industry has been working for some time. While it might be tempting to rob Paul to pay Peter, both road and rail users deserve investment. Now that we have five-year plans for road and rail, let’s stick to them.
All this investment has a by-product: disruption. While the end products, such as the London Bridge rebuild, will be great, getting there must not be so painful that transport users lose faith along the way. It can be done. King’s Cross, Reading and Manchester Victoria are great projects – we have become good at rebuilding while operations continue.
But the problems at London Bridge underline the dangers of underestimating the cumulative impact of changes. Faith in the industry has been dented.
Highways England, Network Rail and their contractors should learn from each other. As the Smart Motorway programme is rolled out, schemes unfold and, at the very least, extensive resurfacing takes place, there will be a lot of roadworks.
Transport Focus will be working with Highways England on how and where road users want to see works done. Improved communication and information will be crucial to this – the familiar gripes about cones being out, but no visible work going on need to be addressed.
Bus users outside London can look forward to more change as local decision-making is boosted. We welcome changes but make sure they are passenger-focused. It would be nice to have five-year plans for buses.