Transport
Why Labour?
Labour is building a transport network fit for the 21st century; a network that meets the needs of business and individuals, whilst being sustainable and contributing to our climate change targets, with new low carbon technologies playing an increasing role. Already, as of late 2009, new high speed trains are serving 22 towns and cities, cutting journey times and bringing regeneration. We have set out a goal of delivering for Britain a north to south high speed rail route which will result in far quicker journey times, benefiting both passengers and business.
While working to make motoring greener, we are also giving local authorities powers, flexibility and funding to deliver innovative local solutions to congestion, and to improve local bus services, while tackling congestion on highways through better traffic management.
Britain is the first country in the world to have a target to limit aviation emissions. Much of the proposed expansion at Heathrow will only be allowed to go ahead on the condition that air quality noise and carbon emissions reductions are on track - the government will act on the advice of the Committee on Climate Change.
Key achievements:
- Investment in transport is at its highest level as a proportion of national income for thirty years
- Announced in December 2008 an extra £1 billion investment in major transport projects to stimulate the economy, by accelerating Government plans to cut congestion and significantly increase rail capacity.
- Committed £5.5 billion for Thameslink, £600 million to improve stations at Birmingham New Street and Reading, plus £150 million for the refurbishment of 150 other key stations.
- Secured the funding deal for Crossrail, which will enable 200m passenger journeys a year; add 30,000 high value jobs in London within the first 10 years of its operation and add an estimated £20 billion to the UK’s GDP.
- Introduced free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England for the over-60s and eligible disabled people.
- Gave local authorities powers to improve local bus services through ‘bus quality contracts’
A future fair for all:
- We are committed to delivering for Britain a north - south high speed rail route, which will result in far quicker journey times, bringing enormous benefit both to passengers and the economy.
- We are investing in a £100 million commitment to encourage a mass market in electric and hybrid cars, and will spend up to £30 million over the next two years to deliver several hundred low carbon buses.
- We will deliver over 1,300 new carriages for our rail network between now and 2014 – nearly 100,000 more train seats.
- We support the sustainable growth of aviation – supporting British business and holidaymakers while ensuring we strike the right balance between our economic, social and environmental goals. Working in the EU – not against it – we have secured the inclusion of aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme.