On 28th November the Department for Transport unveiled their Integrated National Transport Strategy. The strategy aims to provide a vision for how transport can evolve across England in the next 10 years and provide a ‘people-first’ approach.
This strategy was launched by the previous Transport Secretary Louise Haigh who resigned on the same day she launched the strategy.
What are the highlights of the Integrated National Transport Strategy?
More power to local leaders
Firstly, this strategy aims to give more power to local leaders when it comes to regional transport strategies. This will be done through the English Devolution White Paper. Furthermore, the Bus Services Bill will aim to empower locally designed and controlled networks.
Call for ideas to improve the transport network
As part of this strategy the Department for Transport is also launching a call for ideas to make the transport network better which will be followed by a series of regional roadshows which will take place early next year.
If you have any ideas you would like to submit you can do this here via the government website.
Railways back into public ownership – Great British Railways
This strategy has also confirmed the Department for Transport is committing to bringing railways back into public ownership through the Great British Railways. Which was first announced over three years ago.
Inspired by Dijon?
When putting together the plan the previous Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh said she was inspired by a visit to Dijon where she saw a transport network that was reliable, efficient and effective. Here she saw how this city was implementing technology by bringing all modes of transport together into one app where you can plan and pay for your journey across multiple modes of transport.
Louise Haigh said that the main reason that Dijon was able to achieve this is because the city was given the power to make the changes it needed which is why this strategy aims to give power to local leaders when it comes to regional transport strategies.
Infrastructure strategy to be launched in the Spring of 2025
Finally, the Department for Transport announced that in the Spring of 2025 they will publish an infrastructure strategy that will set out the priorities for next decade in transport. By doing this the government aim to provide clarity and certainty which they believe will help unlock private investment.
Transport & Logistics Partner, Paul Wormald commented on the Integrated National Transport Strategy:
The ambition shown in the aims to create a unified and integrated approach in transport planning has to be welcomed, along with an emphasis on putting the customer first in future plans.
A better integrated public transport system is fundamental to economic growth.
However, these aims and ambitions are nothing new for those of us who recall the establishment of the metropolitan passenger transport executives in the 1970s, and whilst they did bring a greater level of cohesion between various modes of transport for a number of years in our major conurbations, these improvements seemed to lose impetus through changes in government sentiment towards these regions, and public transport in general. As a result, it could be considered that the time is ripe to inject fresh momentum into public transport improvements on a more widespread basis across the country.
How can we help?
Hawsons has a dedicated team of specialist transport and logistics accountants in Sheffield, Doncaster, and Northampton.
We act for a large number of clients in this sector across our three offices, ranging from hauliers to international couriers, and understand the challenges this dynamic sector faces.
Nearly every other commercial sector is reliant on the services transport and logistic businesses provide and, in many ways, this specialist sector is the linchpin for our country’s economy.
With our experience in the transport and logistics sector we are able to develop a close understanding of your business and, through active year round involvement, we can help you anticipate and deal with challenges quickly and effectively.
More from our transport and logistics experts
You can find all of our latest transport and logistics sector news and newsletters here.
If you are looking for advice in a particular area, please get in touch with your usual Hawsons contact.
Alternatively, we offer all new clients a free initial meeting to have a discussion about their own personal circumstances – find out more or book your free initial meeting here. We have offices in Sheffield, Doncaster and Northampton.
Free initial meeting
Paul Wormald
Partner, Doncaster
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