Efficient Transport infrastructure to keep our region moving
Transport underpins economic growth, facilitates trade and has a major role to play in the drive towards Net Zero
of Councillors supported their local area gaining more powers on Transport.
(Savanta-ComRes survey for SEC of 250 businesses, 521 members of the public and 264 councillors, January 2024)
of all respondents said ‘Reducing transport related carbon emissions to net zero by 2050’ remained the highest ranked local priority for transport.
(Savanta-ComRes survey for SEC of 250 businesses, 521 members of the public and 264 councillors, January 2024)
For the region to underpin a truly ‘Global Britain’, greater investment in transport infrastructure is needed to in links to/from regional ports of entry and to enable efficient east-west journeys.
To ensure our region can keep moving efficiently SEC believes that:
- Transport for the South East (TfSE) should be designated as a sub-national transport body to enable government to be adequately advised about regional investment priorities.
- Devolved control of public transport budgets would help councils deliver more towards strategic spatial priorities, such as public health, sustainability, and local growth, or even deliver on ambitions such as integrated ticketing.
- Government should consult on an ambitious new target to increase freight travelling by rail and sea to reduce road traffic congestion and air pollution, while reaping the economic rewards from seamless international trade.
- A review of how technological innovation could help optimise our transport infrastructure should be undertaken, to prepare for future contingencies including the growth in electric car usage, traffic congestion, and population growth.
