Sign In

This field is required

Remember me

Forgot password?

Request a free trial

And experience why a wide range of subscribers rely on us to be their eyes and ears in parliament

Already a member? LOGIN

Your information is secure. Privacy & Cookies policy

Find out more about our services HERE

This announcement is a pathetic attempt to cover up the government’s disastrous failure to invest in public transport - McDonald

Tuesday, 3 December 2019 16:49

Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the Tories’ transport announcement, said: “This announcement is a pathetic attempt to cover up the government’s disastrous and incompetent failure to invest in public transport. "Tory cuts have caused public transport fares to rise at twice the rate of wages and thousands of bus routes to be cut, worsening congestion on our roads as a result. “You can’t trust...Request free trial

Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the Tories’ transport announcement, said:

“This announcement is a pathetic attempt to cover up the government’s disastrous and incompetent failure to invest in public transport.

"Tory cuts have caused public transport fares to rise at twice the rate of wages and thousands of bus routes to be cut, worsening congestion on our roads as a result.

“You can’t trust the Tories to deliver on transport in your region. The North is set to receive £2,389 less per person than London on transport. The Tories have presided over an unbalanced and unequal economy.

“It’s time for real change. Labour will invest in transport across the country delivering the major and local infrastructure projects every region of our country deserves.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The Conservative press release’s claims on VED spending contains errors. Labour’s revenue spending commitment on cycling and walking is £2.5bn over a 5-year term, not per year. https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-announces-plan-to-make-england-one-of-the-most-cycling-and-walking-friendly-places-in-the-world/

Free under-25 bus travel will increase in cost over a term to £1.4bn

The link provided in the Conservative Party press release shows VED revenue is forecast to be £7.7bn in 2023-24.

The Conservative’s planned road fund is for major new roadbuilding, not maintenance or maintaining local loads. There are other funding sources available for road improvements.

The Tory Government’s planned transport spending shows that while the capital will receive £3,636 per person, the North will receive just £1,247 per person and within the North, Yorkshire and the Humber will see just £511; the North East £519; and the North West £2,062 per person.IPPR, 19 August 2019, https://www.ippr.org/news-and-media/press-releases/revealed-north-set-to-receive-2-389-less-per-person-than-london-on-transport

· Over 3000 bus routes have been cut or withdrawn since 2010,

Buses in Crisis 2018, The Campaign for Better Transport -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44681974

· Britain’s bus coverage is at a 30 year low.

DfT statistics – vehicle miles on local bus services: Great Britain, annual from 1960,Table BUS0201a.

· Outside of London, the number of passenger journeys has fallen by 10% since 2010. There were 244 million fewer journeys in England outside London per year in 2017/2018 compared with 2009/2010.

DfT statistics – vehicle miles on local bus services BUS S0103

· Between 2010 and 2018, there has been a 32% increase in local bus fares in England, outside London,

DfT statistics – vehicle miles on local bus services BUS0405

· Median full-time weekly earnings only grew by 13% over this period, meaning bus fares have increased at two and a half times the rate of wages.

· Analysis from the Labour Party reveals that that Tories have failed to deliver on a number of key transport commitments in every region in the UK:

East

· Promise made: By the end of 2018, Thameslink will enable 24 trains per hour to use the route through central London enabling services from the East Coast Main Line to use the route.

East of England Long Term Economic Plan, 19 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-announces-long-term-economic-plan-for-the-east-of-england

· Promise broken: Thameslink 24 trains per hour pledge delayed until December 2019.

The Railway Magazine, 12 December 2017, https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/3972/thameslinks-24-trains-per-hour-delayed-until-2019/

· Promise made: The Intercity Express Programme, serving the East Coast Mainline, will ensure passengers will benefit from more reliable services, more seats, increased luggage space, faster journey times (from 2019), and improved wi-fi and mobile coverage.

East of England Long Term Economic Plan, 19 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-announces-long-term-economic-plan-for-the-east-of-england

· Promise broken: The percentage of trains, under Virgin East Coast, which were ‘significantly late’ and ‘cancelled’ nearly doubled.

	Percentage of trains
Financial year	significantly late	cancelled
2014-15	2.04%	1.70%
2015-16	3.03%	2.46%
2016-17	3.65%	3.23%
2017-18	3.65%	3.16%

London North East Railway (Virgin Trains East Coast), 2018-19, https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/compendia/toc-key-statistics/

Midlands

· Promise made: Develop a case for the electrification of rail lines linking Birmingham to Bristol and Derby as well as the Midland Main Line from Bedford to Sheffield.

The Telegraph, 12 Febraury 2015, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/11408347/David-Cameron-tries-his-hand-at-driving-a-train.html

Long Term Plan for the Midlands, 12 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/long-term-economic-plan-for-the-midlands-announced-by-prime-minister-and-chancellor

· Promise broken: In July 2017, the government has scrapped the planned electrification of railway lines in Wales, the Midlands and the North.

“Electrification of the Midlands Main Line north of Bedford was announced in 2012, but work on the project was suspended in June 2015 pending a review into Network Rail’s capital programme for the 2014-2019 funding period (Control Period 5). The suspension was lifted in September 2015, but the completion date was pushed back to 2019 for the line to Kettering and Corby, and 2023 for the remainder of the route to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.”

Rail Journal, 5 March 2019, https://www.railjournal.com/regions/europe/britain-cancels-major-electrification-projects/

BBC News, 20 July 2017, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40669869

· Promise made: Introduce an improved East Coast timetable from May 2019 featuring faster services, new direct service and improved weekend services, including regular weekday services between Edinburgh and London in just 4 hours.

Long Term Plan for the Midlands, 12 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/long-term-economic-plan-for-the-midlands-announced-by-prime-minister-and-chancellor

· Promise broken: Edinburgh-London rail journeys to four hours have been delayed until 2021 because upgrading of the East Coast main line has not been completed.

Scotsman, 23 March 2019, https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/transport/four-hour-edinburgh-london-train-journeys-delayed-until-2021-1-4894673

North East

· Promise made: Northern Futures UTC in Newcastle sponsored by the University of Sunderland and Accenture, in partnership with HP, Kromek, the Academic Health Science Network and two local NHS Trusts is due to open in 2017.

Long Term Plan for the North East, 27 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/long-term-economic-plan-for-the-north-east-announced-by-chancellor

· Promise broken: North East Futures didn’t open until September 2018.

Chronicle Live, 12 November 2018, https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-futures-utc-tour-15403959

Long Term Plan for the North East, 27 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/long-term-economic-plan-for-the-north-east-announced-by-chancellor

· Promise broken: The percentage of trains which have been ‘significantly late’ and ‘cancelled’ on the East Coast Mainline have doubled since 2015.

	Percentage of trains
Financial year	significantly late	cancelled
2014-15	2.04%	1.70%
2015-16	3.03%	2.46%
2016-17	3.65%	3.23%
2017-18	3.65%	3.16%
2018-19	4.39%	3.72%

London North East Railway (Virgin Trains East Coast), 2018-19, https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/compendia/toc-key-statistics/

· Promise made: Schemes will be underway to improve the A1, including plans to widen narrow roads in Newcastle on Scotswood to North Brunton and the widening of the A1 south of Gateshead to three lanes.

Long Term Plan for the North East, 27 February 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/long-term-economic-plan-for-the-north-east-announced-by-chancellor

· Promise broken: Highways England don’t expect construction on Scotswood to North Brunton to start until March 2020; whilst the widening of the A1 south of Gateshead has been delayed and work it not expected to start until late 2020 at the earliest.

A1 Scotswood to North Brunton Improvement Scheme: Highways England, October 2018 update, http://assets.highwaysengland.co.uk/roads/road-projects/A1+Scotswood+to+North+Brunton/LEE18_0117+Scotswood+PIE_Brochure_Digital.pdf

Chronicle Live, 11 September 2019, https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/massive-250m-plus-a1-upgrade-16902543

North West

· Promise made: Complete Metrolink extension to Trafford Park by 2019