THE STATE OF THE NATION BRIEFING cymru Transport THE STATE OF THE ICE Wales Cymru believes that Wales suffers from a NATION lack of investment in its transport infrastructure. TRANSPORT 2013

NATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS Overview of major problems (two fires and a number of ICE has compiled State of the Nation reports n Recent investments in the maintenance of collisions) restricting capacity on this vital strategic each year since 2000, drawing the highway infrastructure have seen some highway. Clarity of the approach with respect to on expertise across its membership and improvements, but most roads in Wales the significant transport challenges around the beyond to stimulate debate and to will be resurfaced only once per one south-east Wales motorway network – which are highlight the actions needed to improve hundred years so vital to the economy of the major urban areas in south Wales – must be found. the UK´s infrastructure. n Links are well established with good connections east to west in both north- The successful managed motorway techniques ICE’s State of the Nation: Transport 2013 east and south-east Wales, but there is poor used in south-east Wales could, however, be UK report presents a series of detailed connectivity north to south and into central applied to improve safety on other suitable recommendations – for the short, medium and – in all sectors primary highway networks. and long-term. While all are important, we believe that three are particularly critical to n ICE Wales Cymru promotes and supports CASE STUDY our success: integrated transportation with good accessibility across Wales – linking all forms 1. Immediate action to improve WLGBI, Newport ROAD conditions, planning of transport with sustainable, user friendly AND funding and healthy transport 2. Ensuring clear national n Transport is considered to be a key driver for TRANSport strategies for all the ’s policies of growth and parts of the UK jobs and a vital factor in the economy of Wales

3. Continuing and extending Roads to fully- INTEgrated transport bodies The country needs significant investment in new and improved transport links. There are limited Our emphasis is on making best use of existing dual carriageways in Wales and improvements assets and achieving the most with public to the country’s highway network will aid The recent Welsh Local Government money. The headline recommendations are connectivity and expand the opportunities for Borrowing Initiative (WLGBI) to improve backed by a series of further points requiring economic growth. Improvements have been and the condition of the highways in Wales rapid action and a suite of detailed changes are being carried out to the strategic network is welcomed and supported. The Welsh by mode and topic. The report concludes with – these improvements will lead to a safer and Government made a commitment to a proposal to create the capacity to address more reliable network and need to continue. The assist local authorities to fund prudential the major social, economic, environmental and improvements have to compete for funding across borrowing for highway infrastructure technological change which ICE anticipates all other sectors, but there are proven and long improvements – for both Highway Asset and through the . established links between transport provision Highway Functionality Improvements. The expected capital investment will aggregate The UK report, with the full detail behind in Wales and economic growth. Investment in 1 to £172 million during the 3-year period our recommendations, can be downloaded infrastructure has a proven multiplier effect . 2012- 2015 with revenue funding made at ice.org.uk/SoNTransport. This briefing The M4 in the Newport - area must be available over a twenty-two year period. This sheet highlights how ICE’s UK-level improved; peak time congestion is a constant is an exemplar project following the model recommendations impact on business concern and will be constraining economic set by Newport City Council and will result and communities across our region. investment opportunities. The Brynglas Tunnels in improvements to the condition of pose a real threat; the twin-bore two-lane east much of Wales’ highway network. and west-bound tunnels have suffered a series

1. UK Contractors Group/L.E.K Consulting (2012), Construction in the UK Economy, The Benefits of Investment, p10: £1 spent THE STATE TRANSPORT on construction output generates a total of £2.84 in total economic activity (i.e. GDP increase). Internationally, the geographic OF THE NATION and economic environment can show even greater returns, for example see Ernst & Young (2010), Economic Contribution of 01 the Victoria Transport Plan, p51 showed a benefit cost ratio of 11.6. Image credit – J Bewley/Sustrans

Rail The present market-led position for local bus ICE Wales Cymru supports the electrification of the services has created a disintegrated set of services south-east Wales Valleys Lines rail network and and has not served the public well. This would be the London-Cardiff- main line (which will best replaced by a franchised framework similar to reduce journey times between south Wales and that in London. This will ensure full integration of London), and plans for the majority of the network bus and rail services, and ease of interchange with to be electrified by 2024. walking, cycling and car travel. Looking to the future, a proposed high speed line to Cardiff would ensure that Wales would be CASE STUDY fully integrated with the UK-wide high speed rail network currently in development – helping to put Bwcabus Wales firmly on the international map as far as Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion trade and investment are concerned. But at a time of limited budgets, we need to be sure that every investment counts and that any detailed high speed line proposal would deliver real benefits over and above current rail investment plans. The has particular challenges due to its age and needs to be addressed. We note that alternative solutions could be linked to sustainable forms of energy – for example a tidal barrage with a rail crossing. The Bwcabus is an innovative, demand In improvements are continuing with responsive, flexible local public transport double tracking at Wrexham and electrification to , supported by the Welsh Government, Holyhead which, along with the European Regional Development the resignalling around Shrewsbury, will Fund, Traveline Cymru, Ceredigion County reduce journey times and bring economic Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and connectivity benefits. and the University of South Wales. The The twin challenges of slow journey times between scheme helps people living in parts of rural north and south Wales coupled with aged rolling Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion get to work stock are disincentives to rail travel within Wales. and access education, training and health Investment in rail infrastructure is not devolved; services. The service is tailored to the needs however ICE Wales Cymru would support the of the passengers by operating in response Welsh Government if they sought opportunities to pre-booked journey requests. Desired for leveraging additional funding to address this journey details are logged with a central particular concern. call centre, which in turn provides the details of pick up, interchange

Bus (if applicable) and arrival times. The bus industry and local authorities in Wales are facing difficult challenges through proposed cuts to the new Regional Transport Services Grant2. Transport and land use Under the new funding scheme bus operators Land use planning has a vital role to play in will be rewarded for delivering targets such as: improving accessibility in the future. Planning maintaining a strategic network of core bus authorities have a role to play in ensuring the routes; offering affordable fares for all groups; balance of land uses across Wales. improving timetable planning; delivering multi- operator ticketing schemes that simplify ticketing Developers can make a significant contribution arrangements and reduce costs for the passenger. to local transport needs through S106/CIL While these targets are welcome in themselves, agreements which need to be well managed in there must be concern that the cut in grant order to maximise the benefits for both existing could lead to an overall reduction in bus services and new communities. Retailers’ free buses can throughout Wales – particularly for more social provide a necessary service to some communities, forms of service such as connections for demand- but they should be complementary to, not led services. competing with, commercial services.

2. ‘Regional Transport Services Grant’ (RTSG) is a £25m single funding scheme that will replace the former Bus Services’ THE STATE TRANSPORT Operators Grant (BSOG) and the Local Transport Services Grant (LTSG) and Community Transport Concessionary Fares OF THE NATION Initiative (CTCFI). 02 Image credit – Stephen K Jones

Integration Walking and Cycling ICE Wales Cymru supports smart ticketing Wales Cymru believes that walking and cycling operating across all Wales and all modes. should be the first choice for short journeys and to Innovative approaches are required to enable access public transport. Increased levels of walking an early introduction. and cycling would help reduce CO2 emissions and help to improve the health of the nation. Park and ride facilities in towns and cities across The provision of information is important when Wales may be a more realistic proposition for planning these types of journeys, whether provided commuters than for shoppers, for whom easy and by Information Communication Technology or cheap access is being offered by struggling city even personalised one-to-one planning like centre retail sectors. The Cardiff park and ride Personalised Travel Plans being developed by scheme has challenges as it is not competitive Sustrans. The latter process could also be used to with driving into the city; there is little speed harvest information about needs and behaviour advantage and it cannot compete with the and could be linked to new Home Packs providing quantity of inexpensive parking in the city centre. an opportunity to reach new home owners before Swansea has had more success with excellent travel patterns are established. bus priority measures. Both cities have World Class integrated transport provision around major Air events like international rugby games or major ICE Wales Cymru strongly supports the concerts. Park and ride provision also needs to development of ; it should play an be considered alongside electrification of the important role in overall UK aviation. The purchase commuter rail routes of Cardiff Airport by the Welsh Government into Cardiff. provides the opportunity for the development of the airport, which currently has excess capacity. CASE STUDY Wales also needs a good connection to a major UK hub – its current hub links are with Schiphol (3

flights daily) and Charles de Gaulle (1 flight daily), GoCymru, WALES but not to Heathrow. GoCymru is the all Wales, Welsh Conclusion Government supported ITSO travel smart card scheme which allows allows the The Transport sector in Wales has a vital role to holder to travel on buses using one card play in Wales’ economic recovery and growth. to pay for their travel. The card is being ICE Wales Cymru believes that there is a clear trialled in Newport and Wrexham. It is call for action to reduce congestion, cut CO2 hoped the smart card will be extended emissions created by transport and to offer real to cover all bus travel across Wales, transport choices. Integrated ticketing and modes and encompass rail when the new rail of transport must be developed. The over reliance franchise is awarded in 2018. on private cars must be reduced and given the clear benefits of walking and cycling these fully sustainable modes of transport must be supported for short journeys to improve the quality of life in Wales.

THE STATE TRANSPORT OF THE NATION 03 View the full report online at ice.org.uk/stateofthenation

THE STATE OF THE NATION TRANSPORT 2013

Contact ICE Wales Cymru Suite 2, Bay Chambers West Bute Street CF10 5BB t +44 (0)29 2063 0561 e [email protected] ice.org.uk/wales

For more information on the State of the Nation Transport, please contact ICE Public Affairs:

t +44 (0)20 7665 2152 e [email protected] ice.org.uk/stateofthenation

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THE STATE TRANSPORT OF THE NATION 04