Transport
All great cities depend on an efficient transport infrastructure. Birmingham’s road, rail and inland water routes are all at the centre of the country and directly affect the economic performance of the country as a whole. The perception of the city is greatly influenced by the quality of its transport links and gateways – at present, the only experience of Birmingham for many individuals is a negative one brought on by the congestion suffered when passing through its road or rail network.
Business Impact
As the hub of the UK’s transport network, the city is disproportionately affected by transport congestion, which costs the West Midlands region £2.2 billion every year. This represents over two per cent of the total output of the West Midlands. On average, delays due to congestion cost each business £27,000 per annum. And the problem is due to get worse. The West Midlands Local Transport Plan, submitted to the government in March 2006, predicted that traffic levels could rise by 15 per cent between 2001 and 2011, with peak hour travel times increasing by 25-35 per cent over the same period.
BCI member businesses consistently rank the transport infrastructure of the West Midlands as one of their top three concerns, citing it as one of the key barriers to improving the economic competitiveness of Birmingham.
Chamber Position
BCI has identified the following (which carry equal weighting) as its five major transport policy priorities:
1. Significant infrastructure developments: New Street Station, The Gateway Scheme and the expansion of Birmingham International Airport.
2. Recognition and accommodation of car and freight within the context of an integrated public transport system, incorporating modal interchange infrastructure.
3. A co-ordinated Road Traffic Management System to maximise the benefits of existing road infrastructure, including Quick Wins.
4. Capacity increases across the Midlands’ motorway system.
5. Promoting Green Travel initiatives and sustainable transport to help protect the environment by reducing unnecessary business travel.
Transport governance in the West Midlands
The Chamber believes the introduction of a strong regionally focussed transport body in the West Midlands is key to the implementation of the region’s transport priorities. In its submission on the draft Local Transport Bill, we urged the government to enable a bold transformation of the region’s transport governance. It called for the introduction of a genuinely Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS) produced by a City Region area transport governance body, including road and freight responsibilities; clear links to planning; modal interchange responsibility; covering travel to work areas; and, demonstrating, links to long-term national priorities. Such a body needs to engage all the transport modes and involve all sectors within the region’s structure and we have called for the business community to have a statutory voice on any such body.
Under-investment
The UK as a whole has suffered as a result of systematic under-investment in transport infrastructure, compared to our European counterparts. To compound matters, within the West Midlands, transport spending by the government is disproportionately lower than in London and is further under threat due to the cost of delivering the transport infrastructure needed for the Olympic Games in 2012. The Chamber has called on the government to ensure that the West Midlands receives a better deal in terms of capital investment in transport in transport infrastructure in the future.
Significant infrastructure developments
· New Street Station- The Gateway Scheme
BCI supports the Gateway scheme as this will increase passenger capacity at New Street by 150 per cent, improve waiting facilities for passengers and develop the appearance and urban environment in and around the station.
· Expansion of Birmingham International Airport (BIA)
The competitiveness of businesses in the West Midlands is hampered by the lack of direct very long-haul flights from BIA to export markets such as the Far East, China and the West Coast of the USA. BCI calls for the extension of capacity at BIA and welcomes recent announcements that the runway at BIA will be extended by 400m to enable such flights.
An integrated public transport system
Good quality public transport is vital infrastructure for compact liveable cities (research for the Government suggests that the UK lags behind successful continental countries in this respect). Firms are able to draw on a wider range of suppliers and services and a broader and deeper labour market within daily commuting range. However, the role of public transport in ‘solving’ the region’s congestion difficulties is complex. BCI believes that promoting modal shift from single occupancy car use to public transport where appropriate may reduce congestion. However, improvements to public transport will not capture those business users who require the flexibility of car use nor freight operators. Investments in public transport should be targeted at those travellers who will make use of them, such as commuters.
· Regional rail network
The regional rail network has seen significant traffic growth over recent years with new franchise operators commencing in the region from 11 November 2007 to 31 March 2016. In order to encourage continued growth of usage, facilitating modal switch and easy interchange for journeys within the region, BCI argues that key capacity enhancements for rail and rail stations are required.
· Buses
BCI believes that improvements to the reliability, coverage, frequency and image of local bus services, coupled with park and ride facilities and bus assistance measures, will help to reduce road traffic congestion, free-up road space for essential business traffic and improve air quality in our towns and cities.
· Modal interchange
The current lack of modal interchange points are significant factors in the region’s failure to combat congestion and environmental problems through public transport measures. Business users require adequate modal interchange points if they are to realistically make use of public transport. BCI calls for the development of both strategic and local park and ride sites, and integrated rail and bus timetables through operator partnerships.
A co-ordinated Road Traffic Management System
· Extension of Active Traffic Management (ATM)
BCI believes that the project most likely to improve the heavily congested sections of the M6 and M5 motorways in the West Midlands is an extension of the widely regarded Active Traffic Management (ATM) scheme now operating on the M42 between the M40 and the M6. ATM involves directing drivers to drive on the hard shoulder at times of peak congestion.
· Quick Wins
‘Quick Wins’ are directed at providing rapid, mainly small scale and cost effective highway initiatives to increase network capacity at congestion hotspots across the Metropolitan Area. Examples of Quick Wins include changing signage, road markings, traffic signal phasing changes and making minor improvements within highway boundaries.
BCI, in partnership with Centro-WMPTA, is coordinating a region-wide campaign asking businesses to suggest potential Quick Wins. BCI will then work closely with local councillors, examining suggestions and advising which Quick Wins should be implemented across the West Midlands. For more information or to take part, please visit: www.westmidlandsltp.gov.uk.
· Red Routes
Red Routes are a method of relieving traffic congestion, which operate using stricter enforcement of illegal parking and the implementation of measures such as road and traffic signal improvements on key parts of the road network. These are implemented in conjunction with extra provision of areas for parking and loading for local businesses in side roads. Whilst BCI is aware that the introduction of red routes is of concern to sections of the business community, most notably the retail sector, it is broadly supportive of the initiative because of the benefits it can bring in terms of reducing road congestion.
Capacity increases across the Midlands’ motorway system.
· Widening of M6 between Junctions 11a and 19
The inter-urban section of the M6 between J11a and J19 carries high overall traffic flows as well as high volumes of heavy goods vehicles. This section of the motorway services the West Midlands and the North West regions and is a vital part of the country’s road network. BCI supports widening the M6 from three lanes to four from junction 11a, the M6 Toll link, to junction 19, at Knutsford as this is the only measure which will address capacity issues across the motorway.
Promoting sustainable transport
BCI calls for the introduction of more incentives, support and assistance for businesses to introduce staff travel plans, helping us protect the environment and lessening congestion by reducing unnecessary business travel. A travel plan is a package of measures produced by employers to encourage staff to use alternatives to single-occupancy car-use. Such a plan for example, could include car sharing schemes; a commitment to improve cycling facilities or a dedicated bus service. It might also promote flexible-working practices such as remote access and video conferencing.
BCI is hosting a National Business Travel Network event that will explain how your business can implement tarvel plans on Thursday 5th June 2008. If you would like to attend this free event or simply want more information, please email J.Bullock@birminghamchamber.org.uk .
If you would like to have your say on transport issues and how they affect your business, please contact Katie Teasdale at k.teasdale@birminghamchamber.org.uk.