PRESS RELEASE

Spending Review roads bonanza would increase costs and inequality

Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] is warning Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP not to pour billions into road building in this week’s Spending Review, unless it’s for better maintenance, or to adapt to extreme weather events due to climate change. Most new major road schemes offer poor value for taxpayers’ money, often providing only temporary congestion relief after significant disruption [2]. Unlike investment in active travel and public transport they fail to increase opportunities for a large section of society and worsen inequality as over 20% of households do not have access to a car [3].

Last week saw the welcome confirmation of public transport spending focussed on mayoral combined authorities, which largely mirrored the Conservatives’ earlier unfunded Network North plans [4]. TAN is concerned Rachel Reeves may now be tempted to fund lots of Rishi Sunak’s discredited, ineffective and costly road schemes. His plans envisaged a huge shift in spending away from public transport [5].

If the Chancellor wants to boost growth in the economy and reverse dissatisfaction with politicians, then she needs to make sure that everyone benefits from transport spending. Investing in active travel and public transport would have a far greater benefit for the economy, while also cutting emissions and reducing pressure on the NHS.

There also needs to be significant investment in rail schemes such as Ely and Haughley junctions in East Anglia and the many minor improvements around London and elsewhere that would revolutionise rail freight, especially for international traffic. Otherwise, it will be clear the government is not serious about getting freight off roads and onto rail to improve journey reliability and road safety, while reducing emissions. Especially after its recent approval of the Lower Thames ‘smart’ motorway Crossing to enable more HGV traffic.

Chris Todd Director of TAN, said:

“There is a real danger that Rachel Reeves will enact the Conservatives’ road plans. This will leave millions of people excluded from good transport networks, unable to live productive and fulfilling lives [6].

“The biggest risk to addressing these issues is the Lower Thames Crossing, a £16bn ‘smart’ motorway being proposed when actually people need a rail alternative [7]. Other than HS1 there are no public transport crossings anywhere near Dartford, forcing people travelling between Kent and Essex to go on lengthy detours via London.

“There is a similar story all over the country where people are crying out for better public transport. Unless the government fast-tracks the many relatively small rail, bus and active travel schemes that would make a real difference to people’s lives [8] – including boosting rail freight – it will fuel further dissatisfaction. The Chancellor needs to be imaginative in her investments if she wants to maximise bang for the taxpayer’s buck and win back trust in Labour.”

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Notes to editors:

[1] TAN was set up six years ago by director, Chris Todd, to help communities press for better (more sustainable) transport. We support more investment in bus and rail services and active travel. To enable this and better roads maintenance (fewer potholes) we continue to oppose the previous government’s damaging roads programme. We also support better integration between transport and planning.

[2] See TAN’s National Highways Watch article: True cost of traffic delays from building major roads

[3] DfT statistics: Household access to a car in England

[4] See TAN’s press statement and Government announcement: Transport for City Regions funding allocations

[5] See TAN’s blog: Network North: The Great Train Robbery

[6] See work by Transport for the North which estimates in the north alone 3.3 million people are at risk of Transport Related Social Exclusion.

[7] Essex-Kent Superlinks report, February 2025. For more information about TAN’s concerns about the Lower Thames Crossing, see its website.

[8] Ely and Haughley junctions are two important improvements needed to improve passenger transport and rail freight to and from the east coast seaports. There are many other minor rail improvements, often only costing tens of millions of pounds, that could make a huge difference to the rail freight industry and getting more HGVs off our roads, especially for international traffic via the Channel Tunnel. Examples can be seen on page 15, of the Essex-Kent Superlinks report.