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.
Prime Minister said:
With some of the busiest travel corridors for both passengers and
freight, strengthening transport connections between Scotland and
the rest of the UK is critical to maximise the potential for
growth and jobs.
Sir Peter Hendy’s review identifies key areas where we can boost
rail, road and air links to better support Scottish businesses
and communities, and we will work closely with the Scottish
Government to take these proposals forward in ways that will
bring our towns and cities even closer together.
Transport Secretary :
Improved connections between Scotland and the rest of the United
Kingdom are essential for driving economic growth, forging
relations, and bringing communities closer together.
I am indebted to Sir Peter for his work. We will consider his
recommendations carefully, engage closely with the Scottish
Government, and work collegiately to ensure these proposals
strengthen the ties that bind us, now and for the future.
The proposals for Scotland include upgrades to the West Coast
Main Line, increasing capacity and cutting journey times between
Scotland and London, the Midlands and North West England, which
are key for both communities and businesses.
Another recommendation is for the UK and Scottish Governments to
work together on developing an assessment of the East Coast road
and rail transport corridor from North East England to South East
Scotland, including improvements on the East Coast Main Line and
the A1.
It also includes offering the Scottish Government new funding to
support the upgrade of the A75 making journeys between Northern
Ireland and Great Britain quicker and easier.
This would provide a major boost for jobs and further consolidate
the UK Government’s commitment to improving cross-border
connectivity.
The Review also encourages the Scottish Government to improve the
A77 to support journeys between Belfast, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
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.
Scottish Secretary said:
I thank Sir Peter for his work and I believe his central
recommendation - the creation of a UK strategic transport network
- lays the foundation for linking up the home nations much more
effectively, boosting our economy and levelling up opportunity
around the country.
His specific proposals for upgrades to the A75 and the West Coast
Main Line, plus rail and road improvements on the east coast
corridor from North East England to South East Scotland will be
welcomed by businesses, commuters and leisure travellers alike.
As will him encouraging the Scottish Government to improve the
A77 to support journeys between Belfast, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
Our task is now to turn the vision into real improvements. I urge
the Scottish Government to work with us to make that happen so we
can deliver the benefits travellers want and businesses need.
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.
The recommendations published today include:
-
The UK Government should design and implement UKNET – a
strategic transport network for the whole of the UK, with
funding commitments targeted at parts of the network that
require the most improvements;
-
Improvements should be planned using multimodal corridors,
which should be appraised on their ability to support the
levelling up and net zero agenda;
-
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.
The UK Government will now carefully consider the Union
Connectivity Review’s recommendations in detail, and has invited
the Scottish Government to work together to identify the
solutions which work best for the people of Scotland and the rest
of the UK, and make tangible and meaningful progress as swiftly
as possible.
The final Union Connectivity Report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/union-connectivity-review-final-report
