The UK government should support the development of
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in parts of the nation that are reliant
on air travel for domestic connectivity, according to the recommendations of a
review into the union’s transport system.
The final report of the Union Connectivity Review, which was
chaired by Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy, makes a number of
recommendations on how the government can create a more cohesive transport
network across the whole of the UK while still focusing on its environmental
commitments.
Hendy’s primary recommendation is for the establishment of a
multi-modal transport network dubbed UKNET that encompasses road, rail and air
travel.
The report recommends subsidy rules for domestic aviation be
revised “to allow support for routes between different regions of the UK –
rather than just to and from London – and to allow multiple airlines to serve a
single route”.
However, it stresses that sustainability needs to be taken
into account when talking about domestic aviation and recommends the government
encourages the uptake of SAF and zero-emission technology by introducing
incentives, tax benefits and subsidies. It says the government should see
domestic routes as “strong candidates for part-electrified aircraft and SAFs
since the engineering challenges are less pronounced for smaller planes” and
shorter flights.
It also suggests varying domestic Air Passenger Duty (APD) for
routes where there are no “reasonable” road or rail alternatives to air travel. UK passengers currently pay some of the highest taxes in the world for domestic flights owing to the tax being applied to both legs of the journey, but the government announced in its autumn budget that domestic APD will be cut in half from 2023 onwards.
Other recommendations of the 98-page report include government
intervention in the assignment of runway slots at London airports to ensure
some are reserved for domestic routes.
When looking at the nation’s railways, Hendy recommends
investing in the West Coast Main Line north of Crewe near Manchester to “properly
use HS2 and its faster journey times and capacity to serve connectivity between
Scotland and England better”. He also suggests conducting an assessment of the
East Coast rail and road corridor “to determine appropriate investments for
better connectivity” with Scotland.
The North Wales Coast Main Line also needs improvements such
as faster journey times, more resilience and capacity by utilising HS2 electrification,
while quicker journeys and capacity could help with links between Cardiff and
the Midlands and beyond, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is in need of better transport
infrastructure, more rail capacity, faster journey times, better rail connections
to airports and participation in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, said
Hendy.
The report comes after the government announced the decision
to scrap the eastern Leeds leg of HS2 and reduce parts of Northern Powerhouse
Rail in its new Integrated Rail Plan.
Recommendations for the UK’s roads include upgrading the A75
link to improve freight and passenger connectivity with Northern Ireland; improving
connectivity between North Wales and North West England on the A55, M53 and M56
roads; relieving congestion on the M4 South Wales and England corridor by implementing
the recommendations of the Burns Commission and easing capacity restrictions at
the junctions of the M4, M5 and M32.
The report also identifies existing projects that could help
the government deliver connectivity in a more sustainable way, with Hendy
highlighting investment in “active transport” – walking and cycling – in towns
and cities, as well as money set aside to promote electric cars and vehicles.
Hendy commented: “My recommendations provide comprehensive,
achievable and clear plans forward to better connect the whole of the United
Kingdom, leading to more growth, jobs, housing and social cohesion.”
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Transport is key to
binding the family of nations that is the United Kingdom closer together so
that prosperity can be shared more evenly. It is not good enough that certain
areas of the UK thrive while others fall behind. We must realise our full
national potential and that means mobilising the resources and skills of all
parts of this country.
“I am indebted to Sir Peter for his work. We will consider
his recommendations carefully, engage closely with the devolved administrations
and work collegiately to ensure these proposals strengthen the ties that bind
us, now and for the future.”
Using a key phrase for the Conservative party, prime
minister Boris Johnson added: “If we want to truly level up the country then it’s
vital that we improve connectivity between all corners of the UK, making it
easier for more people to get to more places more quickly.”
Johnson said the government is “determined to get to work
right away” on Hendy’s recommendations.