In December 2023, an independent Rail and Urban Transport Review was established to examine how a future government could accelerate connectivity within and between the UK’s key urban areas.

The review has been commissioned by the Labour Party and is being led by industry heavyweight Juergen Maier CBE, former Siemens CEO and Vice Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

To read CIHT's response see here.

In CIHT's response we highlighted how we support the sustainable transport hierarchy with walking and wheeling at the top, followed by active travel (cycling) and then followed by public transport.

Many more short journeys could be made on foot or by bike instead of by car. Public transport will support decarbonisation and support greener, fairer, happier, healthier and more prosperous cities.  We see the need for government to take forward the recommendations set out in Improving Local Highways as this would support those aims.

The English transport network should be identified as an integrated and inter-connected system made up of local and strategic highways, rail, ports, and aviation.

We believe that there should be a strategic focus on investing in existing urban transport networks and infrastructure in line with a vision-led (or decide and provide) approach to define clearly economic, environmental, and social outcomes before providing any infrastructure or services. 

Any long-term strategy should integrate land use and transport planning to ensure new developments are best placed to profit from public transport and urban infrastructure proximity as stated in the CIHT ‘Better Planning, Better Transport, Better Places’  report. Policies and legislation should be directing people to live and work in areas which can be connected through public transport, whether this is buses, rail or underground.

Rail and urban transport networks and infrastructure are an integral part of the wider transport system. We highlight the need for a clear, long-term approach to investments, taking into account available data on passenger movements, traffic growth and other criteria to ensure a better use of the existing infrastructure in frames of ‘decide and provide’ approach to decision-making.

Buses are a key component of urban transport networks.  There is a need to ensure that the sector collaborates and learns from good practice – this is a key tenet of ensuring the successful delivery of long-term policy for urban transport networks.  The Bus Centre of Excellence, which is hosted by CIHT on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), will support the sector to deliver better bus services.

Urban Transport Group was appointed the Secretariat for the review, lending administration and technical support. This will be alongside Arup who will be providing expertise and thought leadership to the review.

The review will be led by an expert panel, who together will explore four core themes including:

• Growth opportunity through unlocking planning
• Clarity and certainty of policy and funding
• Devolution and sustainable partnerships
• Private sector and industry capacity

The review panel is:

• 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
• Anne Shaw OBE, Transport Executive Director and urban transport industry expert