Transport

We believe that an integrated, environmentally sustainable transport system, with access for all, promotes economic development. This requires an integrated transport policy, which decades of de-regulation and increasing privatisation have thwarted.

A return to truly public transport

• Privatisation of the railways has not served the nation well, and we support re-nationalisation. The recovery of a franchise into public ownership proved popular for several years on the East Coast Mainline, and this mechanism should be used again to take expiring franchises back under public ownership.
• Rail fares must come down to increase rail use and reduce the burden on our roads.
• We support re-regulation of buses services nationwide and the expansion of bus routes to provide better services to rural and isolated populations who depend on them.

Sensible investment for the future

• We support transport initiatives to improve the connectivity and economic fortunes of our major northern cities and towns. However, we believe HS2 has run into too many problems and we believe there should be better ways to invest £55bn with a much wider range of policies, to improve the connectivity and economic fortunes of our major northern cities and towns.
• We would promote walking and cycling in our cities and towns with more cycle lanes and greater urban pedestrianisation.
• Public safety must be a priority in design, planning and building.