Plymouth and Bristol have been singled out as ideal cities to have a tram or underground tube network.
A major report into the future of “green” transport has called for a rethink on the way people travel including the increased use of train electrification, hydrogen-powered locomotives and high-speed rail.
The , has been produced by rail manufacturer Alstom and looks at how the Government can decarbonise the transport sector.
READ MORE: {}
It calls for a £10billion investment programme in 海角视频 rail and mass transit systems, to help boost regions, such as the South West, struggling with the pandemic, and which the Government have promised to “level up”.
It identifies Plymouth as a place where investment is most needed and listed the city as an area where there is a significant “gap”, specifically indicating that Plymouth would benefit from a tram, metro or tube network.
“As well as enabling people to easily travel around the city, introducing a mass transit system like this in Plymouth would reduce congestion from cars, and support new housing and economic growth,” Alstom said.
“Currently transport is the most emitting sector in the 海角视频 so measures like this will be needed soon in order for the Government to hit their ambitious decarbonisation targets.”
Plymouth had an extensive tram network in the 19th and early 20th Centuries and the Joint Local Plan discussions, in 2018, included feeding stations in Plympton, Marsh Mills and Colebrook.
Most Read
The new Alstom report highlights cities without a “mass transit system” that should look at establishing one. Plymouth, Bristol and Bournemouth are spotlighted, alongside cities such as Cardiff, Swansea, Southampton, Portsmouth, Reading, Leicester, Coventry, Luton, Stoke, Derby, Leeds, Bradford, Hull and Belfast.
The study, which also says Cornwall’s Par to Newquay rail link is ripe for hydrogen-driven trains, says underground metro, trams, light rail and very light rail systems are being established in cities and regions across the world – so why not in Plymouth and Bristol.
It reveals how Manchester’s Metrolink, construced by Alstom as part of a consortium, is the most extensive tram system in the 海角视频 with 99 stops along 65 miles track.
It also says that France is one of the European leaders on trams with 29 towns and cities having systems and with more planned. Tram systems are opening in many more countries, and in the past decade have arrived in cities in Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Dubai.
DO YOU THINK TRAM OR TUBE NETWORKS WOULD BENEFIT PLYMOUTH AND BRISTOL? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW
New metros are also taking shape from Vietnam to Ivory Coast and the Alstom report cites 海角视频 cities, regions and authority areas with more than 250,000 people and without a mass transit system as having the potential for such networks.
“In the absence of these systems in the 海角视频, the obvious decarbonisation benefits they bring cannot be realised and urban areas remain choked in traffic congestion and inefficient travelling conditions,” the report said.
Don’t miss
“Mass transit schemes provide a range of significant economic, social and green benefits. They improve productivity, unlock economic potential in an environmentally acceptable way and increase land value and investment opportunities.
READ THE FULL REPORT
“Construction of schemes create skilled jobs in development and construction and bring corollary multiplier effects.”
It added: “These systems permanently change behaviours and create new, greener, efficient ways of living, altering how cities operate and are planned in greener ways including supporting sustainable housing development.
“Integrated mass transit systems enable people to make low carbon, sustainable choices and help address the structural barriers to lifestyle changes. They shape cities to be energy efficient, free up road infrastructure for those who most need it - including cyclists, pedestrians, those with mobility issues and final mile delivery - and reduce congestion and improve air quality.”
It highlights Nottingham where a tram system has “changed travel patterns” with a rising number of people using public transport, keeping traffic volumes static for years. Nottingham has the lowest car ownership for a city outside London.
The study said buses have an important role to play in transport networks, but have often have been overlooked and lacked investment.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
It said mass transit, trams and light rail can be cheaper, are more effective and bring wider benefits. Trams are quiet, do not have emissions and run frequent, regular, reliable and consistent “turn up and go” services that passengers want.
But it wants mass transit systems integrated with green bus fleets and a programme that supports walking and cycling. Modern trams systems can mean trams are more suitable for sensitive urban areas, without the need for overhead wires and with charging at stops and regenerative braking.
Nick Crossfield, managing director of Alstom 海角视频 and Ireland said: “Many areas need investment to help ‘level up’ and to bounce back from the challenges posed by Covid-19.
“Green transport schemes not only help areas to build back better but bring long-term environmental benefits too. They have a strong role in reducing transport emissions, improving air quality, and providing an economic boost for local areas.
“Green public transport systems provide some of the tools areas need to tackle congestion, bring greener living and lever in investment and jobs.”