Context
Chris Curtis raises concerns about the lack of mass rapid transport systems in many UK cities compared to European counterparts, citing Centre for Cities research showing that poor connectivity limits growth and productivity.
Question
Every French city with a population of more than 150,000 has a mass rapid transport system, yet over 30 UK cities or towns of that size still lack it. Research from Centre for Cities shows that poor connectivity holds back growth and productivity by limiting mobility. A key reason why we have so few is cost, because building a kilometre of track in the UK is twice as expensive as the European average. Can the Secretary of State set out what her Department is doing to bring down costs and help kickstart a tram-building revolution?
Answer from The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
Trams do have the potential to support growth at much lower cost than heavy rail, but Chris Curtis is right that the cost per kilometre of new tramline is much more expensive in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. Heidi Alexander has asked her officials to look into what can be done in this area as they aim to unlock growth across the UK.
How: Looking Into
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