- Prime Minister underlines commitment to stronger transport
connections across the UK, as Government publishes Sir Peter
Hendy’s independent Union Connectivity Review.
- Prime Minister invites devolved administrations to work with
UK Government to progress proposals which level up opportunity
and prosperity across the country.
- UK Government to progress creation of UKNET, a UK wide
strategic transport network, to plan and deliver vital
improvements that better connect all the nations of the UK.
Prime Minister has today (Friday 26th
November) committed to forging and strengthening transport bonds
that will create a more cohesive and connected United
Kingdom.
As the UK Government publishes Sir Peter Hendy’s final report of
the Union Connectivity Review, the Prime Minister has underlined
the importance of better connections – on both local and national
transport networks – to bring all UK communities within closer
reach of social and economic opportunities.
The Prime Minister has particularly welcomed, and intends to
accept, the proposal for the creation of UKNET – a strategic
transport network spanning the entire United Kingdom.
UKNET will assess and map out for the first time the key points
across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom that are
essential to stronger, more direct transport connections.
This will help boost economic growth, support job creation and
level up opportunity by expanding the transport system and
creating quicker and easier travel for passengers, freight and
businesses alike.
The UK Government has invited the devolved administrations to
work collaboratively in defining and developing the necessary
improvements to union connectivity, supported by specific
projects, which will inform the UK Government’s response.
Prime Minister said:
“If we want to truly level up the country then it’s vital that we
improve connectivity between all corners of the UK, making it
easier for more people to get to more places, more quickly.
“Sir Peter Hendy’s review is an inspiring vision for the future
of transport which we will now consider carefully. Determined to
get to work right away, we will set up a strategic UK-wide
transport network that can better serve the whole country with
stronger sea, rail and road links - not only bringing us closer
together, but boosting jobs, prosperity and opportunity.”
Transport Secretary :
“Transport is key to binding the family of nations that is the
United Kingdom closer together, so that prosperity can be shared
more evenly. It is not good enough that certain areas of the UK
thrive while others fall behind. We must realise our full
national potential, and that means mobilising the resources and
skills of all parts of this country.
“I am indebted to Sir Peter for his work. We will consider his
recommendations carefully, engage closely with the devolved
administrations, and work collegiately to ensure these proposals
strengthen the ties that bind us, now and for the future.”
The independent Union Connectivity Review was launched in October
2020, led by Sir Peter Hendy CBE, to undertake how a detailed
review of the quality and availability of transport
infrastructure across the UK can support economic growth and
quality of life.
Specific recommendations for improvements for connections across
the United Kingdom include:
-
For improved connectivity with Scotland,
proposals include reducing rail journey times and increasing
capacity on the West Coast Main Line, and conducting an
assessment of the East Coast road and rail corridor
-
For improved connectivity with Northern
Ireland, upgrading the key A75 link to improve freight
and passenger connectivity.
-
For improved connectivity with Wales,
improvements on the A55, M53 and M56, the South Wales Corridor,
improvements to the North Wales Coast Main Line and rail links
to the Midlands from Cardiff.
The recommendations published today also include:
- The UK Government should design and implement UKNET – a
strategic transport network for the whole of the UK, and commit
to providing additional funding to improve the network, in
particular the parts that are not performing well.
- The UK Government should plan improvements to the network
using multimodal corridors, which should be reviewed regularly
and appraised on a wider economic basis in order to support
government objectives such as levelling up and net zero.
- The UK Government should support the development of
sustainable aviation fuel plants in parts of the United Kingdom
that are particularly reliant on aviation for domestic
connectivity.
Independent Chair of the Union Connectivity Review, Sir
Peter Hendy, said:
“My recommendations provide comprehensive, achievable and clear
plans forward to better connect the whole of the United Kingdom,
leading to more growth, jobs, housing and social
cohesion.
“I welcome the enthusiasm shown by the Prime Minister and
the Government to my final report and I look forward to their
formal response to my recommendations, which aim to
spread opportunity and prosperity right across the United
Kingdom.”
The UK Government will now carefully consider the Union
Connectivity Review’s recommendations in detail, working
collaboratively with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government
and Northern Ireland Executive to identify the solutions which
work best for the people of the UK, and make tangible and
meaningful progress as swiftly as possible.
