Spending Review will put 'everyday transport' at risk, say transport groups

In a letter to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, the groups have outlined concerns that due to major road and rail programmes being protected, local transport services could face disproportionate cuts of up to 40 per cent.

Groups involved include Campaign for Better Transport, the Passenger Transport Executive Group, Sustrans, Campaign to Protect Rural England and Living Streets. The organisations claim that local roads and pavements could fall into disrepair, local bus services will see further reductions in services and commitments to encourage walking and cycling will become impossible to meet.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Our analysis shows that the Spending Review risks hitting very hard the everyday transport that people and communities rely on, while programmes like big road building schemes will escape unscathed. We hope the Transport Secretary will ensure that the Review has a better balance between the major capital programmes and the funding for this everyday transport.”]

Jon Lamonte, chair of the Passenger Transport Executive Group) and chief executive of Transport for Greater Manchester, said: "The city-regions need to see long term sustained investment in local transport, including on buses and road maintenance. Cuts in these budgets will undermine the economic health of the major cities and our programmes for cutting unemployment and regenerating our economies."

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