Liberal Democrats are leading the renewal of Britain’s ageing
infrastructure but we still have decades of under-investment to catch
up on. We need better transport infrastructure, a modern railway
system, and less congestion on our roads.
We have established our second fiscal rule precisely so we can
invest in productive infrastructure to help the economy grow.
We will:
- Set out 10-year rolling capital investment plans.
- Develop a comprehensive plan to electrify the overwhelming
majority of the UK rail network, reopen smaller stations, restore
twin-track lines to major routes and proceed with HS2, as the first
stage of a high-speed rail network to Scotland.
- Invest in major transport improvements and infrastructure. We will:
❖ Deliver the Transport for the North strategy to promote
growth, innovation and prosperity across northern England.
❖ Develop more modern, resilient links to and within the
South West peninsula to help develop and diversify the
regional economy
❖ Complete East-West rail, connecting up Oxford
and Cambridge and catalysing major new housing
development.
❖ Ensure London’s transport infrastructure is improved
to withstand the pressure of population and economic
growth.
- Work to encourage further private sector investment in rail freight
terminals and rail-connected distribution parks. We will set a
clear objective to shift more freight from road to rail and change
planning law to ensure new developments provide good freight
access to retail, manufacturing and warehouse facilities.
- Ensure our airport infrastructure meets the needs of a modern
and open economy, without allowing emissions from aviation
to undermine our goal of a zero-carbon Britain by 2050. We will
carefully consider the conclusions of the Davies Review into
runway capacity and develop a strategic airports policy for the
whole of the UK in the light of those recommendations and advice
from the Committee on Climate Change. We remain opposed to
any expansion of Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick and any new
airport in the Thames Estuary, because of local issues of air and
noise pollution. We will ensure no net increase in runways across
the UK.
- Ensure new rail franchises include a stronger focus on customers,
including requirements to integrate more effectively with other
modes of transport and a programme of investment in new
stations, lines and station facilities. We will continue the Access
for All programme, improving disabled access to public transport.
Modern light rail systems, like Croydon Tramlink and Manchester
Metrolink, have brought significant benefits to passengers. We
will encourage Local Authorities to consider trams alongside other
options, and support a new generation of light rail and ultra-light rail
schemes in towns and cities where local people want them.
...
- Ensure rail fares rise no faster than inflation over the Parliament as
a whole.
...
A Green Transport Act which will include:
A statutory target of 2030 by which time all major, regularly used rail routes will need to be electrified.
- A requirement that every new bus and taxi is Ultra Low Emission from 2030 and every car on the road meets that standard by 2040.
- The creation of Low Emission Zones as part of a national air quality plan, including a legal requirement for the most polluted towns and cities.
- A new statutory framework that all new rail franchises include a stronger focus on customers.
- Updates to roads regulation to promote innovation in transport like driverless cars and personal electric vehicles.
...
- Devolving funding of Network Rail in relation to the Wales
network.
