Ambitious proposals to reset rail and urban transport launched

Urban Transport Group has today announced the publication of the “Rail and Urban Transport Review” by Industry heavyweight Juergen Maier CBE. It is  an ambitious report setting out a bold vision and plan for the future of the UK's rail and urban transport infrastructure, emphasising the need for a paradigm shift to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity transport network.

The Review calls for:

• Establishing an ambitious transport infrastructure plan to ensure a greener, more inclusive, and efficient UK transport network – fit not just for the next five years, but the next 50. This should start with the creation of a Transport Strategy for England (TSE), encompassing skills, land use and housing objectives to align with regional and local strategies.
• Implementing a transformative framework to reduce project delivery costs by 20% and timelines by 25%.
• Developing an infrastructure investment playbook to facilitate and leverage private investment for substantial improvements.
• Ensuring the voices of transport users and the workforce are central to future transport plans, driving social inclusion and local growth.

The findings have been distilled into five themes to identify how transport can better meet the needs of our economy, society and environment. This is alongside a set of policy recommendations and include: 

1. A Bold Long-term Vision and Ambition for Transport Infrastructure: An ambitious national transport strategy to increase journeys by public transport, walking, and cycling by 2035, and to double the mode share of rail within a decade.  
2. Accelerating Delivery of Transport Infrastructure Across the Nation: Proposing a "Greener, Faster, Cheaper" framework, the review suggests reducing project delivery costs by 20% and timelines by 25%. Catalysing growth by building on the progress of English devolution.  
3. Harnessing the Benefits of Public-Private Partnerships: Recognising the essential role of private investment, the review recommends developing an infrastructure investment playbook to facilitate public-private partnerships. This should be supported by a HM Treasury to develop a new approach to private finance.  
4. Getting the Structure Right for Delivery Now and in the Future: A clear, long-term national transport strategy aligned with the UK's industrial strategy and housing delivery. This includes reforms to planning processes and enhancing the role of local authorities in delivering transport infrastructure.  
5. The Voice of Britain's Transport Users and Workforce at the Heart of Transport Plans: Emphasising the importance of user and workforce engagement, the review calls for greater involvement of trade unions and underrepresented groups to ensure inclusive and effective infrastructure development.

Juergen Maier CBE, Chair of the Review, stated:

"This is a pivotal moment for the UK's transport sector. We have a unique opportunity to reshape our transport infrastructure to be greener, more inclusive, and future-ready. Our recommendations provide a clear roadmap for the new government to seize this moment and drive significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. Until now, the ‘chop and change' approach to transport policy has created significant ambiguity in the sector, raised costs, and held back investment. We must set the UK on a new course."

Louise Haigh MP, stated:

“14 years of Conservative government left the public sick and tired of broken promises on transport infrastructure.

“This independent expert-led review provides a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and opportunities we face in delivering transport infrastructure in Britain, and will help inform this new Government's thinking.

“We are clear that we will deliver value for the taxpayer while turbocharging delivery of transport projects. That's how you grow the economy in every corner of the country, and deliver the transport network that modern Britain needs.”

Tai Chong Chew, Director and Global Rail Leader, Arup, stated:

“The conclusion of this Review provides an opportunity to showcase the importance of public private collaboration in accelerating the delivery of improved connectivity and growth. Transformative approaches such as ‘Greener, Faster, Cheaper' will ensure infrastructure projects are delivered on time and within budget, while also enabling a greener and more prosperous UK. Only a relentless commitment to this goal will make certain the changes necessary to bring infrastructure delivery into the 21st Century.”

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

“Good urban transport plays a vital part in creating a stronger, greener, and fairer economy.

“This Review – which received more than 100 evidence submissions – and its final recommendations, are testament to the collective will and ambition of the sector to deliver better transport services for passengers on our railways and in our urban areas.

“We look forward to working with Government to realise our shared ambitions.”

You can read the full report by clicking here.

About the Rail and Urban Transport Review

The independent Rail and Urban Transport Review was established in December 2023 by the Labour Party while in opposition. The Review is led by Juergen Maier CBE, former Siemens CEO, with Secretariat support from the Urban Transport Group and expertise from Arup.

The Review expert panel included Allan Cook CBE (former Chairman of HS2; Member of J.F. Lehman Advisory Board; Chair of Herriot Watt Strategy Board - CEng; Chair of Material Innovation Leadership Group), Emma Porter (Managing Director of Story Plant Limited), Laurent Troger (former CEO of Bombardier Transportation, strategic advisor in public transportation), Nicola Smith (Head of Economics at the Trade Union Congress), Will Wilson (former leader of rolling stock manufacturer and long-standing industry expert), Tai Chong Chew (International Infrastructure Expert), Bob Morris (urban transport industry expert), Henri Murison (Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership), and Anne Shaw OBE (Transport Executive Director and urban transport industry expert).

About Arup

Arup is the UK's second-largest employee-owned business and has a strong track record of providing sustainable and innovative solutions for urban development and infrastructure. Arup employs over 18,000 specialists across more than 90 disciplines, with projects in over 140 countries. Arup are multidisciplinary professionals with expertise in fields such as urban regeneration and planning, building decarbonisation and major transport infrastructure. 

About UTG

The Urban Transport Group is the UK's network of transport authorities with a vision for city-regions, their towns and surrounding areas to be green, fair, healthy and prosperous places, with public transport and active travel options that provides access for all. UTG's members serve over 30 million people across all four nations of the UK.