Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, has welcomed the publication of Sir Peter Hendy CBE’s ‘Union Connectivity Review: interim report’ which explores how connectivity and transport can be improved to better connect the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Sir Peter Hendy CBE was tasked by the Prime Minister in June 2020 to explore ways in which transport can better connect all parts of the Union, levelling-up all parts of the country and helping the UK build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘The Union Connectivity Review: interim report’, published today, marks a key step in exploring how connectivity across the Union can be improved in order to support the UK Government’s aim of building a stronger and fairer economy for the future.
The interim report recommends the development of a new pan-UK transport network covering road, rail, air and maritime. Such a network would improve direct transport connections between all four UK nation as well as between regions within countries.
Proposals will now be developed to focus on the potential benefits and challenges of such a network, as well as possible geographical layouts. The UK Government will make £20million of development funding available to begin assessing options on road and rail schemes which have been identified by the review as crucial for cross-border connectivity.
Commenting, Simon Baynes MP said:
“I very much welcome the recommendations made by Sir Peter Hendy CBE in better connecting the UK through the creation of a new and strategic UK transport network. This would be a big boost for our communities here in Clwyd South, and especially along the border, helping us to maximise our potential.
“The UK Government has already shown significant commitment to improving North Wales’ infrastructure through the North Wales Growth Deal. A network that could improve direct transport connections as well as more effective movement of goods would create major opportunities for areas such as Clwyd South, with the potential to free-up new areas of investment across the UK, and ensuring that local businesses have the infrastructure they need to trade, travel and do business across the country.”