By Liberty Hibberd

The findings of the independent report ‘Rail and Urban Transport Review’ have been published (21th August 2024).

The independent review was commissioned by the Labour Party in 2023 whilst in governmental opposition. The review was led by Juergen Maier CBE, former Siemens CEO, and guided by an panel of experts from across industry.

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has previously submitted evidence to the review during the consultation period in January 2024.

The findings and recommendations of the review have been presented in five distinct themes:

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.

The report is available to read here. 

CIHT welcomes the findings of the report, which echo our recommendations to government in our manifesto – A Transport Network Fit For All Our Futures.

CIHT has consistently called for:

• Clear, long-term strategy on how we will use the transport network across the nation and support this with long-term transport investments (at least 10–20 years).
• Provide adequate and consistent funding to reshape the required infrastructure and services for walking, cycling and public transport use to grow in attractiveness and popularity.
• Advocate for real change in the planning system to enshrine the principles of integrated land use and transport planning.
• Support planning rules that encourage place-based solutions, creating attractive built environments and lessen the need to travel.
• Endorse planning that supports and promotes the availability of local services and provides people with real choices and appropriate alternatives to private car use.
• Work with the transport sector to invest in a wider pool of people from a broader range of backgrounds to support the profession in dealing with the complex societal, environmental and economic challenges we face.
•  Recognise the highway network as a place of employment and work with the wider sector to better understand and address this, including public awareness of the importance of road worker safety.

CIHT looks forward to engaging with the government, relevant public bodies, and private industry to deliver the recommendations from this report and ensure that our transport network can better meet the needs of our economy, society and environment.

------- Note for editors ------

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, 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 FCIHT (Transport Executive Director and urban transport industry expert).