Blog ARCHIVE
Will transport scupper new climate ambition?
The Government is required by 30 June 2026 to set the level of climate ambition for 2038 to 2042, a process known as the seventh carbon budget. The Climate Change Committee recommended an 87% cut of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from 1990 levels was needed. That assumed, however, that earlier climate...
‘Smart’ motorway reports expose costly failure
After much delay, National Highways has finally published the evaluation reports for 16 ‘smart’ motorways. As expected, they showed that almost all of the ‘smart’ motorways had been costly failures. Instead of delivering a predicted £10 billion of economic benefits, they delivered under £2bn, which is less than they cost...
‘Smart’ motorways a “costly failure”
After years of sitting on the data, the government yesterday (5 February 2026) finally released 16 evaluation reports1 which show that the much feared ‘smart’ motorways2 have been a costly failure3. TAN is calling for all ‘smart’ motorways to have a hard shoulder reinstated and turned into controlled motorways instead4....
DfT hiding truth about ‘smart’ motorways
Transport Action Network (TAN)1 is today calling for the Department for Transport (DfT) to come clean on ‘smart’ motorways. This comes as: TAN accuses the DfT of misleading the public when it says no more ‘smart’ motorways are being built. The Lower Thames Crossing and M60 Simister Island are being...
Our Media Coverage in 2026
April 2026 South Wales Argus: Explains TAN Cymru's five key demands for the next government. Also in Wales247. March 2026 BBC: Quote from Transport Action Network criticising the inclusion of the A38 Derby scheme in RIS3. February 2026 Calling All Stations Transport Podcast: Transport Action Network Director Chris Todd was...
Lighting the touchpaper
Igniting Community Action: The Queensbury Tunnel Campaign Transport Action Network (TAN) was founded in 2019 to help local communities facing damaging road schemes or wanting better transport solutions. What happened on the 18th January 2026, in a cold, damp and misty disused railway cutting in West Yorkshire, demonstrated perfectly why...
Road safety strategy leaves vulnerable road users exposed
Road safety strategy leaves vulnerable road users exposed Transport Action Network (TAN)1 has welcomed today’s publication of the government’s Road Safety Strategy2. The strategy, long overdue, contains welcome action and targets to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. However, TAN is concerned by what is missing in the strategy....
TAN founder to leave for new adventures
TAN founder to leave for new adventures Transport Action Network’s founder and director, Chris Todd, is to step down this year in search of new adventures. TAN is now seeking a new CEO to lead the organisation. Chris set up the organisation in 2019, after working at Campaign for Better...
2025 transport review
One step forward, two steps back What has gone well in 2025 Like any year, assessing whether there has been any progress is difficult when things are so complex. However, we’ve seen several significant milestones in 2025 which should bring lasting benefits: The Bus Services Act in England became law,...
Planning reforms could fail unless transport unblocked
Planning reforms could fail unless transport unblocked Despite transport being one of the most common reasons for housing developments stalling or facing local objections, the Government’s misguided focus on nature is getting in the way of long overdue change. That is the warning from Transport Action Network (TAN) in response...
Opening of privatised Lower Thames Crossing motorway delayed to 2034
Opening of privatised Lower Thames Crossing motorway delayed to 2034 Transport Action Network (TAN) has reacted to the news that the £11bn Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) motorway: Will be fully privatised Opening has slipped from 2032 to 2034 (despite no legal challenges) Will proceed before it is known if it...
Government makes further cuts to walking and cycling days before consultation ends
Government makes further cuts to walking and cycling days before consultation ends In the final days of consultation on England’s new five year plan for cycling and walking1, the Government has made further funding cuts. Campaigners at Transport Action Network (TAN)2 are sounding the alarm about the funding allocation of...
Lower Thames Crossing spiralling costs: 17% increase in just 9 months
Lower Thames Crossing spiralling costs: 17% increase in just 9 months Transport Action Network (TAN) has condemned the “utterly predictable” news in the Financial Times1 that the cost of the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has jumped 17% to £11bn in just 9 months. The private investment needed has risen from...
Welcome moves to tackle vehicle taxation
Welcome moves to tackle vehicle taxation Commenting on today’s announcement in the Chancellor’s Budget of a new pay as you drive charge for electric vehicles1, the freeze on rail fares2, the gradual withdrawal of the temporary fuel duty cut3, and an additional £891m for the Lower Thames Crossing4, Chris Todd,...
Chancellor urged to scrap Lower Thames Crossing in favour of stronger growth-generating rail projects
Chancellor urged to scrap Lower Thames Crossing in favour of stronger growth-generating rail projects In its Budget submission to UK Chancellor of the Exchequer [1], Transport Action Network (TAN) has invited the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP to consider scrapping the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), a new six-lane ‘smart’ motorway...
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