Transport review set to benefit region - Chamber

A series of road and rail improvements between north Wales and north-west England are set to bring benefits to the Greater Birmingham region.

They are among the recommendations of The Union Connectivity Review, a UK government transport review, chaired by Sir Peter Hendy. It also recommends a series of improvements to public transport.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited the Welsh government to work "collaboratively" on the proposals. They said it was the UK government's responsibility to invest in rail networks in Wales.

Specific recommendations include:

• A relief road is not recommended to alleviate M4 congestion near Newport, instead improvements should be made to public transport
• The Welsh government should "retain the option" of M4 improvements, including a relief road, if public transport improvements do not alleviate congestion
• Devolution "has been good for transport", but has resulted in cross-border transport schemes being less of a priority
• The north Wales transport corridor needs a UK and Welsh government review focused on HS2 connectivity, travel to and from Ireland, and improvements to the A55, M53, and M56

• The report highlights the importance of further improvements in rail connectivity between Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Mid-Wales and Birmingham and Cardiff and the associated economic benefits it will bring.

Raj Kandola, head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Improving connectivity across the whole of the United Kingdom will play an essential part in driving trade activity and raising productivity levels - a central point which is consistency referenced throughout the Review.

“Along with the release of the much-vaunted Integrated Rail Plan, this review offers a timely strategic blueprint around the importance of a properly functioning transport network and all of the economic and environmental elements it will bring.

“From a Midlands perspective, the report references the need for better rail connectivity across our region and with Wales which in turn will help to open up new opportunities related to leisure and trade.

“Businesses will now be keen to see how these plans are brought to life from a practical point of view as we continue rebuilding the economy over coming months and years. ”

Click here to access the Union Connectivity Review

Read the Chamber's response to the Integrated Rail Plan.