Potential interventions to improve the transport system along two key corridors in the region are identified in England’s Economic Heartland’s two latest connectivity studies.
The Thames Valley-Northampton and Southern East-West Movements (Buckinghamshire across to Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire) were produced after extensive stakeholder engagement. They have been developed in line with DfT transport appraisal guidance and provide clarity on investment opportunities which EEH and its local authority partners can now seek to progress.
Based on the policies and principles of EEH’s transport strategy, the interventions are aimed at increasing economic growth while reducing emissions to net zero by 2050. They include measures to ensure the right traffic is on the right roads, support the uptake of EV vehicles, boost rail connectivity and increase use of active travel and public transport, while reducing the impact of freight on the environment and communities.
The studies build on the interventions already identified in previous studies covering Oxford-Milton Keynes and Peterborough-Northampton-Oxford.
Themes within the Thames Valley-Northampton report include:
Thames Valley and London Connections: Improved connectivity between the Chilterns and key areas in the Thames Valley, leveraging new and improved rail connections between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, better road connections between the M4 and M40, as well as Chiltern Main Line improvements and rail connections to Old Oak Common.
West Coast Main Line, A5 and M1: Making best use of released rail capacity from the construction of new lines, alongside delivery of sustainable transport connections along the corridor.
Northampton-Brackley-Aylesbury: Improved bus services and intermodal connectivity enhancements between Northampton and Aylesbury, including centres such as Winslow, Buckingham, Brackley, and Bicester.
Themes within the Southern East-West Movements connectivity study include:
Hemel Hempstead-St Albans-Stansted: Facilitation of the Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT) scheme and associated projects and connectivity benefits.
Aylesbury-Luton-Stevenage: Enhanced interurban connectivity centred on significantly improved bus connectivity and expansion of the Luton-Dunstable Busway services.
Amersham-Watford-St Albans: Enhanced urban connectivity centred on provision of new rail and improved bus connectivity.
When tested using a strategic land use model the packages of interventions resulted in an increased use of rail, bus and active travel in their respective study areas.
The connectivity studies were agreed by England’s Economic Heartland’s Strategic Transport Leadership Board in July. EEH’s final connectivity study, Luton-Bedford-Corby, is due to go before the Board in December.