Review threatens transport projects, claim groups

Local transport is at risk of “very large” spending cuts in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s spending review, say transport groups including the Campaign for Better Transport, Passenger Transport Executive Group and Sustrans.

Although major road and rail investments are protected, the groups argue that cuts are expected to fall “disproportionately” on local transport.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin, they say that local road maintenance is likely to suffer, that bus services could suffer reductions in services and increases in fares, and that government commitments to encourage more walking and cycling “will be impossible to meet”.

• For more on this, read RAIL 782, published on September 2.