Blog ARCHIVE
Major report proposes cheaper public transport alternatives to Lower Thames Crossing
Major report proposes cheaper ‘Essex-Kent Superlinks’ as public transport alternatives to unaffordable Lower Thames Crossing Transport Action Network (TAN) has today published a major report on ‘High capacity alternatives to a road-based Lower Thames Crossing’ recommending scrapping the £10 billion proposed new road in favour of public transport and rail...
Improving safety on the A66 – faster, cheaper
Keith Buchan, a highly experienced transport planner, examined the safety record of the A66 and the evidence submitted during the planning examination for the £1.5 billion A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. He makes recommendations for safety improvements on the A66 which could be implemented now, at low cost, rather than waiting...
Welsh Roads Review: Two years on
Two years ago on Valentine’s Day, Lee Waters, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change at the time, published the Welsh Roads Review and the Welsh Government’s response. It received widespread international attention and praise for adopting a forwarded thinking approach. There were, of course, some critics, but despite their claims,...
Lower Thames Crossing greenwashing challenged
Lower Thames Crossing greenwashing challenged “Like putting green lipstick on a pig” Campaigners from Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] have ridiculed National Highways’ attempt to brand Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) as the “greenest road ever” [2], describing this as “putting green lipstick on a pig” and a rehash of previous...
Connecting South West England: in place of A303/A358 widening
How does the Government intend to address the connectivity needs of South West England, especially at a time of increasing uncertainty and climate risk? This report explores what could be done instead of building bigger roads that would address these and other issues. Download Report
Lower Thames Crossing in limbo still
Lower Thames Crossing in limbo still While Transport Action Network was disappointed to see the Chancellor supporting the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) today, it is far from a done deal. Private finance has not been secured and the planning application is yet to be approved. The Lower Thames Crossing is...
Lower Thames Crossing is bad for economic growth
Lower Thames Crossing is bad for economic growth Transport Action Network (TAN) is warning the government that the Lower Thames Crossing would make a poor investment and deliver little economic growth compared to its huge cost. TAN has uncovered official DfT figures showing the claimed economic benefits have fallen by...
Lower Thames Crossing will stifle economic growth
Lower Thames Crossing will stifle economic growth In response to suggestions that Rachel Reeves will announce support for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) in a speech next week, Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] is urging the Chancellor to be wary of backing such a flawed development [2]. The evidence shows...
Our Media Coverage in 2025
September 2025 TransportXtra: Transport Action Network writes to the ORR to urge an investigation into National Highways' use of Designated Funds. August 2025 The Construction Index: Transport Action Network writes to the ORR about how it has discovered National Highways is syphoning off money from a dedicated fund for environmental...
Scrapped Stonehenge road could fund South West’s sustainable travel revolution
Scrapped Stonehenge road could fund South West's sustainable transport revolution Transport Action Network (TAN) today publishes a new report [1], commissioned to explore better transport connectivity for the South West, after the scrapping of two highly contentious road schemes by the Government. It has been produced by transport policy experts,...
Lower Thames Crossing will supercharge carbon emissions while plundering nation’s infrastructure budget
Lower Thames Crossing will supercharge carbon emissions while plundering nation’s infrastructure budget Responding to the UK Government’s latest consultation on the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) proposal, Transport Action Network (TAN) has deplored National Highways for completely washing its hands of its unaffordable scheme’s wider environmental impacts, in particular road user...
A year of two halves…
The start of 2024 was surrounded in a cloud of uncertainty, but also anticipation of a General Election. Would the Conservatives go early in May or hang on for as long as possible? In the end Rishi Sunak surprised everyone, including many in his own party, by holding the election...
Campaigners seek legal review of government road-building policy
Campaigners are seeking to challenge government policy on road-building at the High Court today, Tuesday 3 December. In a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice this afternoon, lawyers for Transport Action Network (TAN) will argue that the Department for Transport could not rely on the Zero Emissions Mandate cutting...
Five tests for integrated transport
The announcement of the vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy on 28 November 2024 marks the first time in decades that England has sought to join up different ways of getting about. This is a welcome move as the last government failed badly in this area1. However, just publishing...
Our Media Coverage in 2024
December 2024 The Metro: The Lower Thames Crossing ‘just needs to be put out of its misery,’ says Chris Todd, director at Transport Action Network. Highways Magazine: Transport Action Network take legal action over National Networks Policy Statement. Also reported on by PlanningResource. November 2024 TransportXtra: Transport Action Network will...
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