Nish Liyanage’s Post

Our final question to your election candidates is the big one: Q6. How will your government maximise the opportunities for rail to support economic growth, provide access to employment and education, and improve health and social inclusion? A6: We see rail as part of the solution to three of the really key issues facing the UK: declining health, climate change and the cost of living. We value public transport and freight on rail, so will strive for a modal shift which will have a positive impact on health, climate change, social inclusion and the economy. https://ow.ly/fHFQ50Suuv6

The Transport Secretary has announced five key priorities to overhaul transport. They are: - improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform - improving bus services and growing usage across the country - transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality - delivering greener transport - better integrating transport networks https://lnkd.in/gUEqppH4

The UK needs a government with a national vision for the rail industry as part of the solution for decarbonisation and greening our economy. Investing in rail is a no brainer. However it must be a component of an intergrated green public transport strategy. #sustainability #rail #greeneconomy #publictransport https://lnkd.in/diJ7a9BU

Haigh: “our purpose is simple: move fast and fix things” In her first address to Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom staff new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver “the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation”. On her first day in office Haigh convened officials to “begin work at pace” across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country, and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term. Saying transport is now at the heart of a mission-driven government, Haigh told staff her five strategic priorities were: - improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform - improving bus services and growing usage across the country - transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality - delivering greener transport - better integrating transport networks Haigh said, “It will take all our effort but the new motto of our department – our purpose – is simple: move fast and fix things.... find out more 👉 https://buff.ly/3XY7Q1K #transport #publictransport #infrastructure #transportinfrastructure

In recent weeks, the new Labour government has outlined its ambitious plans for managing the country, emphasising a transformative approach to transportation. New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has set out five strategic priorities aimed at revolutionising the sector: ▪ Improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform ▪ Improving bus services and growing usage across the country ▪ Transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility, and tackling regional inequality ▪ Delivering greener transport. ▪ Better integrating transport networks. Crucial to achieving these objectives is the condition of our roads. Safe and well-maintained roads are foundational to a robust transport network. Adam Lilley, general manager, commented: "The new Department for Transport (DfT) motto, “move fast and fix things,” signals a proactive and prompt approach to addressing infrastructure issues. We hope this implies a commitment from the DfT to collaborate with local authorities to ensure roads are repaired properly and sustainably, supporting the overarching goals of improved transport performance, social equity, and environmental sustainability." #RepairNotReplace #Sustainability #Highways

Really good to see tackling regional inequality and the UK Government's new growth mission running through Louise Haigh MP's five strategic priorities as the new Secretary of State for Transport. Priorities: https://lnkd.in/etsU9FfB Lots to do, but it feels like a really good start for the new government, setting a positive tone about the future of rail and integrated transport. Global Centre Of Rail Excellence Chief Executive Simon Jones wrote a piece yesterday looking at the opportunities for rail in the new focus on industrial strategy. GCRE Piece: https://lnkd.in/d-_JTxE8 #Rail #IndustrialStrategy

The Department for Transport have published the revised National Networks National Policy Statement alongside the government's response to the Transport Committee's review and the public consultation. The government has ruled out a roads review (as recommended by the Climate Change Committee), ignores recommendations on accounting for 'residual emissions' and refuses to make public the National Transport Model to aid scrutiny of the forecasts that underpin decision making. The government also take umbrage at those who say that decision making is still being driven by 'predict and provide' thinking (albeit a more sophisticated version). In the response to the Transport Committee they state: "The government’s approach to decarbonisation is not to stop people travelling, it is about enabling people to do the same things differently and more sustainably while still realising transport’s social and economic benefits." On the same theme the government's response to the public consultation declares: "A number of respondents argued that the government needs to reduce car kilometres travelled in order to achieve net zero. It is not the policy of government to reduce demand for travel. People should enjoy fair access to jobs, education, health, shopping, recreation, friends and family and government wants to facilitate that, not restrict it." A truly disingenuous representation of the arguments in favour of active, public and shared mobility over investment that locks in car dependency. The government continues to state it "believes that the policy choices set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan are the right ones" and refuses to engage with the mounting evidence they are inadequate and unfair. In doing so they are simply kicking the can down the road for the next government to need to address. #climate #transport #strategicplanning

The recent announcement by The Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom to establish shadow Great British Railways (GBR) marks a significant step towards reforming the nation's rail services. This long-awaited announcement aims to deliver a unified rail system under the GBR banner, promising a more coherent and efficient railway network. However, the discussion around this transformation has largely centred on the rail system itself, without delving into the broader implications that are crucial for the success of GBR.   A truly comprehensive approach to transport reform must transcend the confines of rail services. It should encompass a holistic view that includes employment, housing, education, health and the energy sector amongst others. This integration is vital if our transport network is to be the backbone of the economy and society, influencing and being influenced by these adjacent systems.   Consider the interplay between transport and employment. Efficient transport links are essential for accessing job opportunities, which in turn can stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment. Similarly, the availability of affordable housing near transport hubs can lead to increased ridership and reduced congestion on roads.   A transport system that promotes walking, cycling and the use of public transport can lead to healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden on healthcare systems as well as significantly contributing to reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector and aligning with the UK's environmental sustainability goals.   The vision for GBR should, therefore, include a strategic plan that aligns rail services with these broader societal needs. By doing so, GBR can truly put passengers at the heart of the rail service, not just as commuters but as citizens affected by a myriad of interconnected factors.   The establishment of GBR presents an opportunity to rethink and reshape the UK's transport system. By adopting a whole-systems approach that considers the interdependencies with other societal sectors, GBR can create a transport network that not only serves its passengers with efficiency and reliability but also contributes positively to the broader social and economic fabric of the nation. This is my vision for an integrated transport system which is not just about connecting places; it's about connecting lives and fostering a sustainable future for all. Laura Shoaf, CBE, Alex Hynes, Robin Gisby, Andrew Haines, #sustainabletransport, #wholesystemapproach

UK / 18 July 2024 / Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP -- Today, legislation was introduced to bring the #UK’s #railways back into #public ownership, marking the biggest overhaul of the sector in a generation. This move, spearheaded by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, aims to provide better train services for all UK residents. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, introduced to Parliament today (18 July 2024), will make public sector operation the default for rail passenger services. This significant change follows years of poor performance under the current model. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh stated, "This is a clear signal of intent. Rail reform is at the heart of this King’s Speech. Our transport system is broken, but today’s bill will pave the way for better trains that work for everyone, no matter where you live. After years of inefficiency, we’re taking the first steps towards rail reform today. Change starts now." The new laws aim to ensure rail services prioritize passengers, ending years of waste and fragmentation. The Transport Secretary emphasized that publicly-owned passenger rail will provide a more efficient, higher quality, and reliable service. With five bills dedicated to transport, this legislative agenda is set to deliver the biggest overhaul in a generation. These reforms are critical for kickstarting economic growth, unlocking opportunities across the country, and accelerating progress towards net-zero emissions.

Louise Haigh's session with the new House of Commons' Transport Committee is worth a watch. A short post on two positives and one concern. First positive is that this is very much a Secretary of State who wants to get things done (more Andrew Adonis and less Geoff Hoon, to use some very old examples) and wants progress made quickly. So bringing railways into (mostly) public ownership and giving English local authorities everywhere much greater control over bus services, and doing that quickly (it took six years in Gtr Manchester). Second is that this Committee is much better and more knowledgeable than the previous one, with new MPs with relevant backgrounds (and hopefully less enthusiasm for snake oil fuels as solution to climate change...). Should be a real positive in this Parliament. But the worry is on climate change. Transport is the biggest greenhouse emitting sector in the UK. The SoS was on top of her brief on most issues but lent more on civil servants when it came to the DfT "greener transport" priority. Questioned on what she would want to achieve in her time in office, this is her list: 1. More people on buses 2. Trains running on time 3. Potholes filled 4. Dijon-style integrated transport networks everywhere Which is great but keeping within carbon budgets and stopping transport from being the biggest emitting sector would be great too (and won't just be a result from the points above). To decarbonise transport, DfT will rely on the last government's policies (ZEV mandate, LEVI funding for charge-points, SAF) plus making public transport better (but probably not cheaper). Government will want carrots not sticks to change behaviour (and its current poll rating will probably reinforce the fear of policies to change behaviour). Link to session: https://lnkd.in/epMANmgs