EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - At the crossroads? Transport and social exclusion in the North East

At the crossroads? Transport and social exclusion in the North East

Introduction

This report looks at the links between transport and social exclusion in the North East and proposes an eight point plan to improve connectivity and tackle transport-related social exclusion.

Description

This report is concerned with the links between transport and social exclusion in the North East. It includes an analysis of transport and travel trends in the region and sets out the policy debates around the issues of transport and social exclusion.

It concludes with an eight point plan to improve connectivity and tackle transport-related social exclusion in the North East. These suggestions are both short- and long-term and whilst specific to the North East are applicable to other regions.

Background information

The North East faces acute economic and social challenges. Levels of worklessness are higher than the national average, disadvantaged groups face particular barriers to entering the labour market and communities across the region are blighted by social and economic disadvantage. However, the role of transport in helping to alleviate these problems is often underplayed.

Conclusions

Ensure the role of transport in social inclusion is given at least equal weight to its role in economic growth
Create a North East Accessibility Forum to support the sharing of best practice and understanding
Regional co-ordination of concessionary fares
Return to sensible regulation of the bus network
Public transport operators must be encouraged to invest and innovate
Explore piloting of road-user charging
A stronger decentralised approach to transport policy, with a single Transport, Housing and Planning Regional Board
Adopt a stronger commitment to ‘smart growth’.

Contact info

Institute for Public Policy Research
north@ippr.org

Publication date

Researcher

Rory Palmer and John Adams

Links

Visit the Institute for Public Policy Research website

Download the "At the crossroads? Transport and social exclusion in the North East" Report (PDF, Eng, 214 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration, Transport and infrastructure