Call for evidence outcome

Union connectivity review: call for evidence

Updated 26 November 2021

Foreword

I am pleased that the Prime Minister has asked me to undertake an independent review into the connectivity of the United Kingdom (UK).

The UK is the oldest and most successful partnership of nations in history and, as connectivity drives the economy, jobs, housing and social cohesion, it is essential in ensuring that everyone feels the benefits of being part of this union.

The government has set out its commitment to levelling up by addressing the causes of regional inequality across the UK. The causes of inequality are complex and historic, and require long-term and well thought out policy decisions to resolve. This becomes even more important in the context of external economic impacts such as COVID-19 and the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU).

Transport alone cannot resolve these issues, but it is the most effective enabler of an effective growth strategy. The ability to move people and goods across the country is vital to the success of business, the growth of regional economies, and access for people to jobs, housing, education and health services, so good transport connections are needed to ensure that regions across the UK are able to maximise their potential.

Much recent transport investment has been the result of an appraisal methodology that prioritises large numbers of travellers saving time spent on travel; naturally favouring travel to and from major conurbations. However, this review is about – and I am interested in – what can be done to invest in and widen the benefits of growth and cohesion across the UK.

Schemes such as High Speed 2 (HS2) and Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver transport investment in the North and the Midlands, but this review will consider what more can be done to support all parts of the UK.

I am delighted to publish this call for evidence to inform my review. It provides an opportunity to canvas the views of stakeholders on what needs to be done, and to provide evidence on transport connectivity, to ensure that all 4 nations and regions are able to maximise the economic, cultural and social benefits of being part of the United Kingdom.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE

How to respond

This call for evidence was issued on 16 November 2020 and will run until 30 December 2020. Please ensure that your response reaches us on or before the closing date.

When responding, state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation.

If responding as an individual, please provide the following details:

• name
• primary nation of residence
• contact details

If responding on behalf of a larger organisation:

• state your role within that organisation
• make it clear who the organisation represents
• outline how the views of members were assembled

To respond, you can email responses directly to ucr@dft.gov.uk.

Due to remote working for the foreseeable future, we cannot accept hard copies of responses, but please let us know if you are unable to respond by email.

Responses should:

• be in Word or PDF format
• include links to supporting evidence
• be as succinct as possible
• be a maximum of 10 pages in length

We do not expect you to submit evidence or views in response to every question listed if not relevant.

This call for evidence is also available in Welsh and Irish Gaelic.

If you would like alternative formats (Braille, audio CD, and so on), please contact ucr@dft.gov.uk.

Freedom of information, data protection and Crown copyright

Freedom of information

Information provided in response to this call for evidence may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

If you want information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, among other things, with obligations of confidence.

In view of this, it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information, we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding.

The union connectivity review (UCR) will process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act. This means that your personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.

Confidentiality and data protection

The UCR is carrying out this call for evidence to gather evidence on the need for additional cross-border connectivity across the UK. This call for evidence and the processing of personal data that it entails is necessary for the exercise of our functions as a government department. If your answers contain any information that allows you to be identified, the UCR will, under data protection law, be the Controller for this information.

As part of this call for evidence, we’re asking for your name and email address. This is in case we need to ask you follow-up questions about any of your responses. You do not have to give us this personal information. If you do provide it, we will use it only for the purpose of asking follow-up questions.

Our privacy policy has more information about your rights in relation to your personal data, how to complain and how to contact the Data Protection Officer.

Your information will be kept securely on an IT system within the UCR and destroyed within 24 months after the call for evidence has been completed.

Crown copyright

This consultation is covered by the rules of Crown copyright, which the DfT, UCR and the UK government adhere to.

Background

The union connectivity review (UCR) will provide independent advice to the government. It will provide an overview of how connectivity between the nations of the United Kingdom can support economic growth and improve quality of life.

It will focus on transport’s ability to maximise economic potential and to improve quality of life, and will outline a series of specific recommendations that will individually and collectively contribute to this outcome.

The terms of reference for the UCR were published on 5 October 2020 and require it to consider the following:

• the quality and reliability of major connections across the UK
• likely current and future demand for transport links
• the environmental impact of policy options (including with regard to climate change)
• existing work completed by the government on cross-UK connectivity

In carrying out this study, the government asked Sir Peter to consult widely with:

• industry
• the general public
• relevant government agencies, including the Department for Transport (DfT) and its modal teams, Scotland Office, Wales Office, Northern Ireland Office and the National Infrastructure Commission
• the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments, local authorities and their infrastructure commissions

This call for evidence is the first opportunity for individuals and organisations to provide detailed information on the need for additional connectivity between the nations of the United Kingdom.

About the call for evidence

This call for evidence provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to:

• direct the review’s attention to areas in which multi-nation journeys within the UK have the potential to be improved
• identify the importance of transport connectivity more generally
• set out strategic opportunities for improvements in cross-border transport

It seeks information on the following topics:

• the importance of cross-border transport links to existing growth strategies
• appraisal methodologies and how these can support investment in cross-border transport
• specific journeys with the potential for improvement, and the cost and feasibility of these
• the potential development of a pan-UK strategic transport network
• non-physical changes to support cross-border connectivity such as service provision or financial support
• the social and environmental impact of additional or improved transport links
• the UK’s ability to deliver a truly national transport strategy
• the feasibility and need for a fixed link between Northern Ireland and Great Britain
• any other relevant information

The scope of this review includes all cross-border journeys – meaning those journeys that start and end within different nations of the UK. Potential improvements or changes to transport links at any point on these journeys are in scope of the review and this call for evidence. Further information on this can be found in the supporting information after each of the consultation questions.

This call for evidence is part of a wider review of information and evidence gathering. Information from a variety of sources will form part of a wider understanding of cross-border transport connectivity and will begin to identify areas for further examination.

The intention is to deliver an interim report in January 2021 and a final report setting out recommendations in summer 2021.

Consultation questions

Assessing the need for cross-border connectivity

1. If you represent a place, what is your current strategy for growing the economy and improving the quality of life there?

Please provide a summary, but you are welcome to append or link to published strategies.

a) What is necessary to achieve this strategy and what evidence do you have that improved connectivity is needed in this instance?

We expect that transport is not the only factor necessary to achieve regional strategies and would like to understand what else might need to be in place to see benefits from improvements in connectivity.

2. Please provide any information you hold about current multi-nation journeys within the United Kingdom.

In your answer, please provide information relating to:

• current journey volumes or levels
• assessments of future demand
• journey reliability
• locations or corridors of particular strategic importance
• the reasons for importance

3. In general terms, is there a need for new or improved transport links between the nations of the United Kingdom?

If so, please:

• explain why and provide evidence to support your view
• ensure that your response relates specifically to multi-nation transport links and not to improvements in connectivity in general

4. What are the main obstacles and challenges in improving transport connectivity between the nations of the UK?

Please provide evidence relating to any specific challenges that prevent or hinder the development of additional or improved transport links. Please consider socio-economic, political, organisational and practical issues.

5. What evidence exists to demonstrate the potential impacts of improved transport connectivity between the nations of the United Kingdom?

Please ensure that your answer:

• relates directly to transport connectivity between the nations of the UK and not to transport connectivity in general
• considers economic, social and cultural impacts
• provides documents or links
• highlights specific potential growth areas such as housing or wages

6. When making transport investment decisions that aim to improve connectivity between the different nations of the UK, does the current appraisal framework capture all the potential impacts?

Please provide evidence such as links to existing reviews or analysis that may have already considered this.

Opportunities for improved transport connectivity between the nations of the UK

7. Which specific journeys would benefit from new or improved transport links?

In your answer, please:

• identify 2 or more specific points within the UK for each journey
• provide details as to why each journey has been identified
• list these journeys in order of priority
• ensure that these journeys traverse 2 or more nations of the UK.

If none then please go to question 8.

a) What would be the benefits of improvements to these specific journeys?

In your answer, please:

• provide evidence of the benefit that these proposed improvements would deliver
• consider wider economic, social and cultural benefits
• consider specific areas such as potential improvements in housing and productivity

b) Are you aware of any work that has been done to assess the need or feasibility of improvements to all or part of these specific journeys?

Please provide evidence.

c) How would the costs and benefits of the identified improvements be distributed?

Please consider the economic, social and geographic distribution of these costs and benefits, and provide evidence to support this.

d) How will demand for these journeys change in the future?

In your answer, please consider the:

• next 20 to 30 years in your response and set out the reasons why demand will change
• potential impact of COVID-19
• potential impact of the UK’s departure from the EU

e) In your opinion, what is the preferred means by which to improve these journeys?

In your answer, please consider:

• specific transport modes such as rail, road, air and maritime
• details of any new infrastructure requirements
• whether there is an opportunity to promote active travel, such as walking or cycling, or environmentally friendly modes of transport

f) What would be the environmental impact of improving these journeys in the way that you have identified?

In your answer, please provide evidence and consider:

• positive and negative impacts
• possible mitigations of these
• the context of the UK’s domestic and international targets for greenhouse gas and carbon emissions

g) Are there any interdependencies with other policies that may impact the deliverability of the identified improvements?

In your answer, please:

• consider all relevant national and regional policies, and those set by devolved administrations
• provide your assessment as to how these policies may need to change to facilitate delivery of the identified improvements

8. Is there a need for the development of a national strategic transport network to replace the European Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network following the end of the UK-EU transition period?

Please consider the specific strategic benefits of a replacement national network, which would connect strategically important regions and places in the UK in order to support economic growth and quality of life. View maps of the existing TEN-T inland waterways and ports (PDF, 3.6MB) and railways and airports (PDF, 3.6MB) network within the UK.

a) How should such a network be defined?

In your answer, please consider:

• which criteria should be considered when identifying transport links for inclusion
• how these criteria should be assessed
• which specific transport modes should be included

b) What would be the potential impact of such a network?

In your answer, please consider possible economic, social and environmental impacts.

c) How should a network of this nature be managed or financed?

In your answer, please consider the role of:

• UK government
• devolved administrations
• local transport authorities

d) Do you have any further comments on the development of a national strategic transport network?

Connections to Northern Ireland

9. With reference to the unique geographical position of Northern Ireland, please set out how best to improve cross-border transport connectivity with other UK nations

In your answer, please:

• consider all possible transport options, including maritime, air and rail or road via a fixed link
• provide evidence as to the cost, benefits and environmental impact of these options

10. Other than geographic, are there any other specific restrictions to improving connectivity between Northern Ireland and other UK nations?

In your answer, please consider:

• legal, policy and practical restrictions
• set these out and provide evidence as to how they may limit opportunities for improved transport connectivity
• the above in the context of the UK’s departure from the EU

Final questions

11. What else can be done to support greater transport connectivity between the nations of the UK?

Please consider legal, political, structural and economic factors in your response, as well as other opportunities for the UK government to directly support improvements to transport connectivity.

12. Do you have any further comments?

What will happen next

A summary of responses, including the next steps, will be published within 3 months of this call for evidence closing. Paper copies will be available on request.

If you have questions about this consultation, please contact ucr@dft.gov.uk.