Key Cities recognise the need to improve the accessibility, connectivity, and quality of transport options both in, and between, major conurbations. 

Better urban transport infrastructure – that is funded sustainably, distributed broadly, and controlled locally – can unlock inclusive economic growth and productivity gains.

Key Cities along the south coast, in Wales and the North of England, are home to major freight and passenger ports this infrastructure will be critical to realising the ambitions of ‘Global Britain’. Much of our future prosperity will depend on strengthening the national road and rail connections between these gateways and urban centres across the UK.

We must put decarbonisation at the heart of any improvements, through expanding rail freight capacity; rolling out a national network of electric charging points for freight vehicles; and accelerating research and development into alternative fuels.

Key Cities are ideal test beds for transport innovations. In many of our cities, walking and cycling are already popular ways to commute and otherwise get around. Given sufficient funding, over appropriate timescales, we are confident that our cities will see more and more people using these affordable, sustainable options, securing vital improvements to air quality and population health, and contributing to efforts to achieve net zero.

Above all, the Key Cities network’s priority for the coming year is to explore the Government’s new Buses Bill which will grant local transport authorities powers to take control of local bus services, known as bus franchising.