The Labour Party’s manifesto is a missed opportunity to work with the private sector to deliver sustainable transport future

Following the launch of the Labour Party’s general election manifesto, a spokesperson for the Urban Mobility Partnership commented: “Whilst we welcome the Labour Party’s commitments to invest in and strengthen sustainable transport options this must be done in partnership with the private sector.

With local authorities shouldering the burden of reducing air quality, congestion and transport emissions, private transport providers can provide much needed technological solutions and valuable resource to support the aims of central Government. That’s why it is time for Labour to recognise that strategic partnerships across both the public and private sector can offer consumers the better choice and availability of sustainable travel that is needed for the future of urban mobility in the UK.”

Labour Party manifesto pledges include:

• There is a general commitment that: ‘Labour will build a sustainable, affordable, accessible and integrated transport system, founded on the principle that transport is an essential public service’.
• Aim to end new sales of combustion engine vehicles by 2030.
• Position the UK at the forefront of the development and manufacture of ULEVs and support their sale
• Invest in EV charging infrastructure and electric community car clubs.
• Accelerate the transition of our public sector car fleets and public buses to zero emissions vehicles
• Transport programme focused on creating better, publicly accessible local transport systems, to improve public transport and making people less reliant on cars.
• Increase funding available for cycling and walking, and bring together transport and land-use planning to create towns and cities where walking and cycling are the best choice.
• Use £250 million to fund the transition through a Green Transformation Fund dedicated to renewable and low-carbon energy and transport among other goals.
• Allow Councils to take public ownership of bus networks, give them the resources and full legal powers to achieve this cost-effectively.
• Rebuild railways as a nationally integrated public service, cut the wastage of private profit, improve accessibility for disabled people, ensure safe staffing levels and end driver only operation.
• Review public expenditure on transport to ensure it promotes environmental sustainability and contributes to decarbonisation.