Opinion: A Little Less Consultation, A Little More Action

By Trudy Harrison, Senior Advisor, Fusion Media

The unveiling of the Integrated National Transport Strategy marks a significant milestone in reshaping how we think about and implement transport in this country.

It’s heartening to see the strategy embrace a multi-modal approach, putting walking, cycling, and public transport at the heart of its vision. But we must ask ourselves: do we really need another call for ideas, or is it time to focus on action?

There was much to applaud in Louise Haigh’s speech announcing the strategy. Of course, politics moves fast and the work will now be continued by her successor, Heidi Alexander MP; but all indications are that the same focus will continue. The emphasis on a people-first approach is a refreshing shift in focus. By centering transport on the needs of everyday users, we have a real opportunity to improve access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and other essential services. The examples of Dijon’s seamless, integrated transport network and, indeed, the Netherlands’ consistently people-centric approach offer a clear blueprint for success. 

But therein lies the rub. These examples don’t just provide inspiration—they underline a glaring truth: we already know what works. The tools, strategies, and policies to create better, safer streets and more accessible transport systems are well-established. What’s missing is not ideas but the political will and urgency to implement them.

In my time as Active Travel Minister, launching Boris Johnson’s Gear Change plan was a masterclass from his team in seizing a political opportunity. With unprecedented public funding and a clear mandate to decarbonize transport, we moved swiftly to implement real, tangible changes with proper funding. Gear Change wasn’t about asking for suggestions; it was about doing. And that’s what the transport strategy needs to be.

While the National Transport Strategy’s call for ideas may seem like an inclusive and democratic way to gather input, it risks becoming a missed opportunity for meaningful progress. We don’t need more consultations or roadshows to know what’s needed—the evidence is already there. There’s room for consultation, of course, but it is best served at the local level with tangible proposals based on a bold vision of where we’re headed.

The Netherlands’ approach of “work with work”—evaluating every minor infrastructure project for opportunities to improve—is a perfect example of how small, incremental changes, alongside local communities, can make a massive difference over time. Narrowing junctions to make pedestrian crossings safer or planting street trees to enhance the quality of life are practical, achievable actions. These are the kinds of improvements that people notice, appreciate, and benefit from in their daily lives. But they’re the kind of changes that Britain finds really hard to deliver under its current system.

The real challenge lies in delivering these changes at scale. From my experience, governments have a tendency to gravitate toward large, headline-grabbing projects. While these have their place, the reality is that transformative change often comes from the accumulation of smaller, everyday improvements: better bus stops, safer crossings, smoother pavements, and more bike lanes. These are the changes that can be delivered quickly, within the span of a government’s term, and they’re the changes that people will remember.

However, we must also confront an uncomfortable truth: not all local authorities are equally equipped to deliver these changes. Some councils excel at turning funding into tangible outcomes, while others struggle with the basics. This is where Active Travel England’s capability ratings come into play. By assessing councils’ political will and capacity to deliver, these ratings can help target resources and support where they’re needed most. For instance, councils with high capability ratings could receive devolved funding and greater autonomy to implement changes, while those with lower ratings could benefit from tailored support and guidance to build their capacity. This works for active travel but it’s probably time the approach is rolled out in an integrated way. The publicly available ratings also hold local authorities accountable for their progress.

One of the reasons pothole repair is such a perennial favorite for governments is that it’s quick, visible, and easy to deliver. Councils already have the tools, processes, and expertise to fix potholes, making it an obvious choice for immediate impact. But what if we moved the conversation beyond potholes to making our streets fairer and more accessible, for people using mobility aids or children crossing the street? By enabling councils to adopt the “work with work” approach, we can ensure that every minor project—whether it’s repaving a road or upgrading a junction—also considers how to improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life.

Instead of focusing solely on big grants for major projects with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the government must empower local authorities with devolved funding and reduced red tape. This will allow councils to deliver the kinds of incremental improvements that, over time, add up to transformative change. It’s not as glamorous as a new rail line or road, but it’s the kind of work that can be done within a year or two—and it’s the kind of work that people will see and feel in their daily lives.

The national strategy represents a huge opportunity to cement active travel as a core component of a genuinely integrated transport strategy. For those of us at Fusion Media and across the active travel community, this is an exciting moment to push for the changes we know are needed. By enabling more people to walk, cycle, and use public transport, we can create healthier, happier communities and make real progress toward net zero.

The success of the transport strategy will not be measured by the breadth of its consultations or the elegance of its vision. It will be measured by the tangible changes it delivers—my own experience in Government and the changes in political priorities highlights that to do the difficult stuff, you need to make hay while the sun shines.

The knowledge is there. What’s needed now is a little less consultation and a little (lot) more action.

Trudy Harrison is a Senior Advisor at Fusion Media. She was the MP for Copeland 2017-2024, and a Minister in both the Transport and Environment departments. 

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