Transport
£10bn bill to repair local roads
The estimated one-time cost to get local roads in England and Wales back into a ‘reasonable, steady state’ is £10.24bn, according to a new survey.
Put climate change at the heart of building back, say MPs
Climate change needs to be at the heart of the government’s plans to build back the economy after COVID-19, MPs have declared.
Leading the way on the climate emergency
West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s approach to tackling the biggest challenge of our times led to it winning the Climate Emergency category at The MJ Awards last year, as Dan Peters reports.
Councils are key to our climate goals
There is universal agreement that climate change targets can’t be achieved if councils are excluded from the approach, says Paul O’Brien. He looks at what they are calling for if they are to be at the heart of delivering climate goals.
What next for the capital post-pandemic?
The levelling up agenda has focused on the Midlands and the North, but London’s economy has also been hard hit by the pandemic. The MJ and BT spoke to eight London chief executives on how they are adapting to the changes. Michael Burton reports.
A blueprint for locally-led green recovery
A coalition including councils, Ashden, ADEPT and others is arguing for five priorities for action to ensure the UK meets its 2050 net zero emissions target, says Cara Jenkinson.
Installing EV charging infrastructure: opportunities for local authorities
Stuart Urquart says the most appropriate EV charging infrastructure procurement option for a particular authority will depend on a number of options, including the risk appetite of each party.
Council waits on Brexit funding
Funding is yet to secured for a building to handle new customs arrangements when the Brexit transition period ends next month.
Recovery plans key to levelling up
Government ambitions for levelling up depend on councils being given funds to fulfil local recovery plans, the All Party Parliamentary Group on devolution has been told.
Spending Review: Infrastructure gets pride of place
The chancellor Rishi Sunak used the 2020 Spending Review to launch a new strategy for UK infrastructure.
Another false dawn?
Next month’s energy White Paper and a longer-term comprehensive spending review than currently proposed will really tell us whether the PM's 'Green Industrial Revolution' lives up to its billing or is another false dawn, says Paul O'Brien.
Green revolution or missed opportunity?
Local government insiders tell Heather Jameson that the Government’s 10-point action plan for tackling climate change isn’t ambitious enough either in terms of the scale of the vision or about what role councils should play.
‘Challenges’ remain despite Brexit funding
Concerns remain about the looming end of the Brexit transition period despite councils receiving £10m to aid preparations.
Questions over Brexit preparation at ports
A call has been made to the Government to shift its focus from Dover to other ports as it prepares for a no-deal Brexit.
Three pathways to reducing regional disparities
Better defining ‘levelling up’ is a crucial step to achieving it, writes Professor Sir Tim Besley. A new discussion paper from the National Infrastructure Commission says a ‘balanced portfolio’ of interventions across three pathways is required.
White van man on... transport
This government wants to turn this country into another Holland, or more likely another Vietnam, where we all ride around merrily on boneshakers, whatever the weather.
Stay focused on the longer-term climate ambitions
Remaining focused on the longer-term climate ambitions can be challenging, says John O'Brien - 'but they are ambitions that will often be part of our broader, near term recovery efforts as well'.
Is the love affair with mayors over?
After last week’s rows between Number 10 and city region mayors over lockdown funding Michael Burton looks at governments’ love affairs with the concept of directly-elected mayors and questions whether the romance might be over.
Councils enlist MPs’ help over lorry parks
Local authorities have called on MPs to help lobby the Government over the creation of lorry parks to cope with no-deal Brexit border disruption.
Helping city centres thrive post-COVID
Concern for our high streets has been exacerbated by the pandemic - but this time it is big cities that are suffering more, says Andrew Carter. If we care about city centres, its down to transport authorities can help
