TO BE PUBLISHED March 2025
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This conference will examine priorities for improving regional connectivity and the future of urban transport systems in England.
Stakeholders and policymakers will assess key measures for improving connectivity between regions as the Government consults on the development of an Integrated National Transport Strategy, which will set direction for how transport should be designed, built and operated in England over the next 10 years. We expect sessions to bring out latest thinking on 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.
The agenda includes a focus on 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, 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 English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024, which 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 and infrastructure 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. Stakeholders will explore next steps for new developments and upgrading existing urban mass transit transport systems, such as the West Yorkshire mass transit system and the Sheffield Supertram.
Delegates will assess the future of local buses, in light of Budget commitments for over £1bn of funding in 2025-26, the fare cap being extended for another year but being increased to £3 from January 2025 and the introduction of the Bus Services Bill to Parliament in December 2024. Sessions will assess challenges and opportunities associated with provisions for municipal ownership, as well as reviewing early progress of Manchester’s Bee Network by considering lessons that can be learnt and applied by other local authorities.
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. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DfT; Defra; DSIT; and the HoC Library.
