The National Infrastructure Commission’s call for Government to make devolved funding for urban transport to cities a key test of the Government’s forthcoming National Infrastructure Strategy is hugely welcome, says the Urban Transport Group.

In a letter to the Chancellor Philip Hammond, the Commission’s Chair Sir John Armitt called on the government to “demonstrate a genuine commitment to change” by devolving funding for urban transport to cities.

Responding to the letter, Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group - the UK’s network of city region transport authorities – said:

“Sir John Armitt is absolutely right to make devolved funding to city regions for urban transport a key test of the Government’s future infrastructure plan, a move which would undoubtedly lead to higher quality transport in cities, and all the associated benefits this brings.

“Where funding for transport has already been devolved to city regions, we have seen better services for the communities and the people which they serve. We hope Government will take on board the Commission’s recommendations and we look forward to its National Infrastructure Strategy this Autumn.”