TramForward supports call for light rail investment

TramForward, the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), fully endorses the call for a £10bn, ten-year programme of investment in light rail and mass transit schemes made in a recent report, The UK’s New Green Age: A Step Change in Transport Decarbonisation, from multinational rolling-stock manufacturer Alstom.

The report compares the UK’s 12 mass transit systems with France, with double that number, and Germany, with four times as many systems. The proposed programme would meet the Government’s objective of levelling up the UK’s regions and nations and would progress decarbonisation, improvement in air quality, reducing congestion and stimulating local economies.

The report lists 20 areas across the UK with a population greater than 250 000 that suffer an estimated £8bn combined loss of production each year due to congestion. Many of these towns and cities feature LRTA members campaigning for mass transit.

LRTA Chair Paul Rowen said: “It is encouraging to see a major transport player taking the lead and showing how investment and decarbonisation through light rail schemes can bring both economic and environmental benefits. It backs up and underlines the importance of our campaigns for light rail and clean air. I look forward to a positive response from the UK Government, backed by the finance needed to make the proposals a reality.”

For the full report, visit https://www.alstom.com/sites/alstom.com/files/2021/01/13/Alstom_UK_Decarbonisation_Report.pdf