The Union Connectivity Review: the case for a multi-modal strategic transport network

The Union Connectivity Review was published on 26 November 2021 and is the culmination of an independent review by Sir Peter Hendy into how the UK’s transport infrastructure can be improved to better support economic growth and quality of life. 

UKNET

At the core of the recommendations is a proposal for the UK Government to design and implement a strategic transport network spanning the length and breadth of the UK (aptly named ‘UKNET’) and to commit funding to improve the network.

With the UK’s population set to increase to 72 million by 2041, a reliable transport network with sufficient capacity will be a key national requirement. UKNET is presented as the solution - an opportunity to ensure investment in transport is made on a UK-wide basis via a multi-modal approach to network planning.  This would support long term economic growth, jobs, housing, social cohesion, the UK Government’s “levelling up” agenda and net zero ambitions. 

The Review suggests that the UK Government should:

• plan improvements to the network using the sixteen multi-modal corridors identified in the Review (all of which are to be reviewed regularly to ensure objectives such as levelling up and net zero are met); and
• gather data across the UK transport network to better understand and manage capacity and congestion, and form an evidence base for policy decisions.

 UK Government goals in Scotland:

• Reduce rail journey times and increase capacity between Scotland and London, the Midlands and the North West through upgrades to the West Coast Main Line north of Crewe (with initial estimates suggesting that a three-hour journey time between Scotland and London could increase the use of rail as a mode of transport from a 2019 level of 29% to around 75% (versus air travel)).
• Review options for alternative northerly connections between HS2 and the West Coast Main Line.
• Work with the Scottish Government to assess the rail transport corridor between North East England and South East Scotland (looking to improve the East Coast Main Line).
• Upgrade key road routes and increase rail transport funding to support a reduction in congestion.

UK Government goals in Wales:

Work with the Welsh Government to undertake a multimodal review of the North and South Wales transport corridors, with a focus on:

• improvements to the North Wales Main Line;
• better connectivity with HS2;
• increased electrification;
• upgrading and building new stations on the South Wales Main Line to help reduce M4 congestion;
• supporting the Welsh Government’s package of public transport improvements; and
• developing a package of railways improvements to increase connectivity between Cardiff and Birmingham (and beyond) noting that journey times are relatively long and capacity is limited.

UK Government goals in Northern Ireland:

Support the Northern Ireland Executive to develop, fund and implement a long term pipeline of improvements to transport infrastructure, with a focus on:

• upgrading the railway on the Northern Ireland corridor, including better connectivity to the three airports and seaports;
• examining the potential to re-open closed lines; and
• assisting with the All Island Strategic Rail Review (in conjunction with the Republic of Ireland) to consider how to improve regional and strategic rail connectivity.

UK Government goals to strengthen the Freight Network:

• Freight is seen as an essential component to the success of the UK (with 200,000 businesses contributing £127bn to the economy).
• In 2019, 196bn tonne-kilometres of domestic freight was moved within the UK (79% by road, 13% by water and 8% by rail).
• The National Infrastructure Commission  in its 2019 report (Better Delivery: the challenge for freight) recommended the establishment of a freight data standard, an industry-wide leadership council and local planning guidance.
• The Review identifies a series of infrastructure improvements that will support the development of rail freight on the proposed UKNET and in particular, recommends that the UK Government should improve connectivity to seaports across the UK by enhancing rail freight connections. 
• The UK Government is to publish a “Future of Freight” strategic plan by the end of 2021.

Conclusion:

The Review identifies specific infrastructure upgrades that would improve capacity, reliability, journey times and sustainability on key strategic transport links across the UK.  It is now for the UK and devolved governments to consider the recommendations and decide how to take them forward.  Close collaboration will be critical to making the vision set out in the Review a reality and improving transport connectivity between the nations of the UK.