Autumn Budget Survey 2026
The Treasury is asking for ideas for the Autumn Budget. Help us to make the case for sustainable transport by filling in the Treasury’s survey here (selecting ‘Transport’ at Q2). As you only get a maximum of 250 words and 5 bullet points, we have made it as easy as possible for you by drafting the suggested text below. Feel free to copy this if you are in a hurry, or to edit if you prefer. The deadline is 9 September.
- Cancel poor-value, high-carbon road schemes: Cancelling the A46 Newark Bypass and A38 Derby Junctions would save £315m up to 2030, and at least £1.3bn in the longer-term. The £2bn A66 Northern Trans Pennine and the Lower Thames Crossing (£3.1bn public funding) are also poor value road expansions and should be cancelled, freeing up funding for improving safety on existing roads, rail freight, and better value active travel.
- Increase funding for road safety and environmental priorities: National Highways has failed to meet key road safety and climate targets, in part because investment in road expansions has been prioritised over safety and sustainability. Increased, ring-fenced funding is needed to ensure that road safety improvements, road maintenance and environmental projects are given the priority they require. Greater investment in resilience and adaptation to upgrade roads to withstand climate change and extreme weather should also be a priority.
- Boost active travel funding: Restore and increase National Highways’ funding for walking and cycling. Funding is below the levels needed to deliver CWIS ambitions as is active travel funding for National Highways in RIS3 which has almost halved since RIS2.
- Prioritise investment in rail to reduce car-dependency: Provide long-term funding to invest in rail freight, reopen rail lines and stations for better connected communities and make fares simpler and more affordable.
- Reinvigorate bus networks: Provide long-term funding for local bus networks to tackle transport poverty and prevent service cuts. Extend the £2 bus fare cap beyond 2027 to keep public transport affordable and accessible.