Reg Harman

RAILWAY PRIVATIZATION: DOES IT BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES?

A recent White Paper outlined proposals for privatizing British Rails assets and activities. This article reviews the aims of the proposed measures, and examines what effect they could have on passenger services, freight services and investment. It concludes that the Governments objectives, such as service quality and maintenance of the network, are unlikely to be met. Rail service provision and traffic could decline, despite the main aim of increasing rails share of transport. This contrasts with the strategy that most other countries in Europe are taking, with the aim of exploiting more effectively rails contribution to the economy and the environment. Reg Harman concludes by outlining the package of policy measures which could underpin a similar approach for Britains railway system.

Realizing the New Opportunity for Railways

Britain’s railway system has a pivotal role in the implementation of the Government’s transport policies, which include effective integration with land-use development planning. A higher and more sustained proportion of public funds has already been allocated in order to achieve this role. The structure of the railway industry needs to take these policies into account. The new structure should also reflect general trends in European transport and railway policies. And its operation must be underpinned by a cohesive national system of management training and skills development.

New development: Fast track to Birmingham

Despite government hesitation, high speed rail lines can offer cohesive solutions to some of the UKs current major challenges: climate change and the environment, sustainable economic development and congestion. The article demonstrates this for the London–Birmingham corridor.

Railway and Spatial Strategies in the South East: Can Coordination and Delivery be Achieved?

Abstract London remains the economic hub of the UK and its railways play a vital role in linking it with its wide catchment across South East England. But, although some major projects are now in hand, investment in the regions railway system is still far too limited for it to play this role effectively. This reflects several weaknesses: no vision for the future, little effective leadership from government, and instability across the agencies responsible for railway planning and investment. The paper reviews these problems, looking at current policies and plans, considering the strategies and priorities that emerge from these, and drawing out the various barriers to their implementation. Brief comparisons are made with the approach taken in Paris and the Dutch Randstad. The paper concludes with some recommendations for action.

Spatial planning and transport in London and the South East: Can policy co-ordination and delivery be achieved?

The railway system in London and the south east is fundamental to London in its roles as the capital of the country and as a world-class financial and business centre. This article examines the formal strategies for spatial planning and railway investment in London and the south east and shows that there is a distinct dichotomy between spatial and transport planning. The authors explain the key investments needed in the network. They call for the Government to demonstrate how land use planning and transport investment are dovetailed together and properly funded, and for the Strategic Rail Authority to act more in concert with regional and local interests.

New development: The purpose and planning of railways in the 21st century

Most people in Great Britain consider the national passenger railway system as essential. Yet little evidence exists about the systems roles and impacts or the benefits from substantial public funding. This article examines these issues, following recent government reports. It argues that the railway systems role must be fully established, to understand what level of public money should be committed, and that the franchising processes should engage local as well as national interests, both public and private.

New development: Decentralizing governance in England—transport's key role

Transport holds the key to effective decentralization of responsibilities in England. But transport cannot be considered in isolation from other functions. It has close links with spatial planning and other environmental, economic and social activities and they must function together. Decentralization must take this on board for England as a whole. There should be combined authorities established throughout England that are viable and accountable to the areas they serve.

‘Swift Rail’—funding local rail transit through smarter growth

Many medium-size cities suffer from severe traffic congestion and poor accessibility, limiting their potential to improve their economy, environment, and social equity. These problems could be addressed by creating high-quality transit linking such cities with suburban and other catchment areas through use of existing rail lines and abandoned former railway alignments. This concept, termed ‘Swift Rail’, would call for an innovative approach to local railway and transport development.

New development: High speed rail in Great Britain—its rationale and purpose

The HS2 rail route proposed for Great Britain mirrors an international trend towards creating new high speed rail services. Yet its rapid evolution in Great Britain remains controversial. Arguments for improved north-south travel and large economic benefits are being countered with concerns over its high costs, its transformational qualities and opposition to its environmental impacts. This article sets out some principles and criteria for developing high speed rail in Great Britain across a number of fields: economic, environmental, railway strategy, and spatial planning. The authors support high speed rail development but, reflecting experience in continental Europe, identify proper rationale and purpose as essential to its acceptance.

What price walking

Walking is an important means of local transport, yet it is generally neglected as such despite several major studies produced over the last 20 years. This article reviews the problems faced by pedestrians, reflecting the way that transport policy only values car travel. Public authorities in Britain are now starting to address alternative means of travel, but generally they are not looking at the need for environmentally‐friendly transport now aimed for in the European Unions Common Transport Policy. Britain also falls short of the best practice elsewhere in Europe, especially in the Netherlands. The article draws on experience from the European mainland to recommend principles for developing policies and providing an effective network for pedestrians.