Press Notices

11 September 2002:
Delivery is the real challenge for Government's multi-modal programme

The Commission for Integrated Transport has welcomed the balanced spending profile of the emerging recommendations of the Government's multi-modal studies, which allows for a much wider range of transport solution than was on offer in the past.

Analysis carried out by CfIT has shown that the broad costs of the MMS are split 55% on rail infrastructure, 17% on Local Transport Capital and 28% on road infrastructure (1).

The challenge is how we move from the planning stage to delivery.

CfIT Chair, Professor David Begg, said," the recommendations clearly offer a welcome balance, but we have to make sure that we have in place the mechanisms to deliver this balanced package in a co-ordinated framework, consistent with the integrated transport policy."

"The delivery agencies are key in this process. The Highways Agency has a process that is well tested and effective in delivering major capital investment. But we also need to ensure local measures and services are implemented, which are vital for the future viability of our cities. The SRA is right to focus on tackling the costs within the industry and making best use of existing resources. But we also need to be sure that rail plays it part in delivering the enhancements necessary to secure the public transport improvements in the study areas."

"The improvement of local services is crucial for the Government's social inclusion agenda. The Social Exclusion Unit recently estimated that only 12% of spending planned in the 10-Year Plan will benefit those on the lowest incomes, while 38% will benefit the highest earners."

Professor Begg added, "There is a clear message coming out of these studies. We need a balanced approach which includes pro-public transport measures, which tackles bottlenecks on the inter-urban road network and which recognises the need for demand restraint. Extra inter-urban capacity ahead of improvements in local transport and without recognising the need for demand restraint will simply add to the existing problems in our cities, where almost 80% of congestion is to be found."

Notes to editors:

(1) Covers new LRT/Guided Bus infrastructure and improvements to existing bus services or infrastructure.

CfIT's analysis is based on a paper produced by consultants, Faber Maunsell, which will be published shortly on our website, www.cfit.gov.uk/docs/2002/10ms/index.htm.

Return to: 10 Year Transport Plan monitoring strategy index