Transport spending divide is widening

There is a widening North-South divide in spending on transport, according to figures out today.

Spending in London is close to triple the outlay in the North of England and West Midlands, said the Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg).

It said that an analysis of Treasury public spending figures showed that spending on transport has risen to £802 per head. This compared with £248 per head for North-East England, £333 for North-West England, £272 for Yorkshire and Humberside, and £257 for the West Midlands.

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Pteg, which represents metropolitan passenger transport executives in Britain, said the gap had “widened considerably” since the previous years, with spending in London rising from £634 per head to £802, while spending in the West Midlands and north of England rose relatively modestly from £262 to £286.

Pteg added that the disparity in public spending on transport between London and the regions was not matched in public spending as a whole, or for spending on education or health. It was also a relatively recent phenomenon rather than the historic norm.

Pteg chairman Geoff Inskip said: “London needs and deserves high-quality public transport.

“London’s transport system has been transformed in recent years. It’s an achievement that is rightly to be admired and is predicated on the importance of a modern and efficient transport network to London’s economic vigour and sustainable development.”

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He went on: “However, it’s not just London’s transport system that needs a shot in the arm.

“Our cities are economic powerhouses but a greater level of transport investment in Britain’s major urban centres is needed to help bridge the North-South divide and ensure that we can boost our economic performance and reach our potential.”

Leeds is still waiting for improvements to its transport after many years waiting and several false starts.

The Supertram project was cancelled and the latest plan, the trolleybus scheme, which dates back to 2007, remains on the drawing board.

There is also uncertainty over the future of other transport schemes, including two new railway stations, at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge.