Morning, Tuesday, 25th February 2025
Online
This conference will examine priorities for improving regional connectivity and the future of urban transport systems in England.
It follows key measures outlined in the Autumn Budget to enhance the UK’s transport infrastructure, including rail upgrades, investment in local and regional transport networks, increased funding for road maintenance, and commitments to cycling and walking infrastructure, with the aim of improving connectivity and sustainability across urban and rural areas.
Stakeholders and policymakers will assess the direction of Government plans for improving connectivity between regions, examining practicalities and discussing next steps for major projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and East-West Rail, as well as evaluating the potential of measures such as powers afforded in the repurposed High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill to deliver new and upgraded infrastructure.
In a post-HS2 phase 2 context, delegates will consider wider issues for regional connectivity, exploring the viability of suggested schemes such as ‘HS2-lite’ and the future for proposals put forward by the previous government for Network North. We also expect discussion on areas of focus and what might be learnt for future development of major transport schemes from the recently announced Major Transport Projects Governance and Assurance Review as it investigates the oversight of recent projects.
Sessions will also assess the impact of the Government’s aims to widen and deepen devolution for both major transport infrastructure and urban transport policy. Delegates will look at strategies for improving effective collaboration between central government, regional mayors and combined authorities, how the Government’s pledge to devolve new powers of transport will work in practice, and opportunities it might open up for reform to urban transport systems.
Considering findings from the Urban Transport Group’s Rail and Urban Transport Review, further sessions will look at priorities for developing integrated transport systems and the future of transport within regions. Delegates will assess the future of local buses, including challenges and opportunities associated with provisions for municipal ownership outlined in the Better Buses Bill, as well as reviewing early progress of Manchester’s Bee Network.
Further discussion will assess funding priorities for local transport, decarbonisation, ramping up active travel and wider issues of spatial planning and connectivity.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
