{"id":61622,"date":"2015-09-17T11:16:03","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T11:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=fd6b5ef1cf8504dbca8ac3c0b9c80788"},"modified":"2015-09-17T11:16:03","modified_gmt":"2015-09-17T11:16:03","slug":"speech-we-are-building-a-world-class-transport-system-for-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=61622","title":{"rendered":"Speech: We are building a world class transport system for London"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Flourishing London<\/h2>\n

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.<\/p>\n

When the Secretary of State spoke at the London Chamber of Commerce transport dinner a year ago, he started his speech by welcoming the return of \u201cambition, optimism and belief\u201d to London.<\/p>\n

Today (15 September 2015), those words sound rather restrained.<\/p>\n

Twelve months on, London is absolutely flourishing.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the fastest growing city in the fastest growing country in the G7.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also the beating heart of Britain\u2019s economic recovery.<\/p>\n

In the past 5 years, the number of businesses here has grown by almost 216,000.<\/p>\n

Half a million jobs have been created here.<\/p>\n

And with the help of people in this room we will create over half a million more in this Parliament.<\/p>\n

According to a recent report by the Economist, London will be the second most competitive city in the world by 2025.<\/p>\n

Just behind New York.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not good enough.<\/p>\n

We are aiming higher than that.<\/p>\n

The Chancellor recently outlined plans for London to outpace New York.<\/p>\n

Growing the capital\u2019s economy by \u00a36.4 billion in real terms by 2030.<\/p>\n

Pressure on infrastructure<\/h2>\n

We want every business in London to grow and succeed. <\/p>\n

But I don\u2019t need to tell you that growth brings its own challenges.<\/p>\n

A pressure on services and housing.<\/p>\n

And the need for a transport infrastructure that can support a large, mobile population.<\/p>\n

In fact London\u2019s current transport system, which handles around 24 million journeys taken every day, works remarkably well.<\/p>\n

But when a city is growing this quickly, we can\u2019t afford to stop investing and planning for the future.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the mistake previous governments made.<\/p>\n

Reducing investment didn\u2019t save us money, but it did harm our competitiveness over the longer term.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why \u2014 at a time of tight budgets \u2014 this one nation government is delivering record capital investment in transport.<\/p>\n

And because the capital\u2019s population is projected to increase by a million people over the next 15 years, we\u2019re building a world class transport system for Londoners, with the resilience to meet the demands of the future.<\/p>\n

Progress so far<\/h2>\n

Working in partnership with Boris, the unparalleled advocate for this great city, transport is so much better than it was a few years ago.<\/p>\n

Better bus services.<\/p>\n

Boris Bikes.<\/p>\n

Tube modernisation.<\/p>\n

And all the rail upgrades delivered for the 2012 Olympics. <\/p>\n

Since 2010, we have made the largest investment in London\u2019s transport infrastructure in a generation.<\/p>\n

But even these substantial improvements will be dwarfed by what\u2019s to come. <\/p>\n

New schemes<\/h2>\n

In just 2 years\u2019 time, the first Crossrail services will be running.<\/p>\n

This extraordinary project will carry the equivalent of Birmingham\u2019s population every single day.<\/p>\n

Or an Olympic athletics stadium every hour; some might say it was truly performance enhancing. <\/p>\n

Either way it\u2019s a 10% capacity hike to London\u2019s entire rail network.<\/p>\n

By 2018, we\u2019ll have Thameslink trains travelling every 2 or 3 minutes through central London in each direction, dramatically boosting north-south connections.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, the disruptions at London Bridge and on the Brighton main line have been disappointing. <\/p>\n

But I know that Network Rail\u2019s new boss, Sir Peter Hendy, who is with us tonight, is absolutely focused on minimising future disruptions and keeping passengers informed. <\/p>\n

Then we\u2019re introducing new inter-city trains on the East Coast line into King\u2019s Cross and the Great Western line into Paddington.<\/p>\n

And in 2017 we\u2019ll start building HS2<\/abbr>, nearly doubling the number of peak fast trains leaving Euston, and trebling the number of seats.<\/p>\n

Now I know these schemes are familiar to you.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re so accustomed to hearing about them, sometimes we take them for granted.<\/p>\n

But their combined impact will be truly transformational.<\/p>\n

Relieving pressure on the rest of the network.<\/p>\n

Improving passenger journeys.<\/p>\n

And providing the capacity and connectivity that London needs to continue growing.<\/p>\n

Take Farringdon, for example.<\/p>\n

When the redeveloped station opens in 2018, it will be one of the busiest railway stations in Britain.<\/p>\n

And among the most important transport hubs in London.<\/p>\n

Handling 150,000 passengers a day.<\/p>\n

Skills<\/h2>\n

But these schemes will also leave another positive legacy: of jobs, skills and apprenticeships.<\/p>\n

A subject close to my heart.<\/p>\n

Getting to meet the team building Crossrail has been truly inspiring.<\/p>\n

Everyone is so proud to be part of the programme.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s because it has brought together thousands of people from different backgrounds to work as one team.<\/p>\n

Crossrail has also created 460 apprenticeships so far, and 10,000 people have enrolled in the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy.<\/p>\n

This is just part of a wider plan to develop a new generation of qualified engineering, surveying and construction talent. <\/p>\n

For example, HS2<\/abbr> is expected to create almost 25,000 jobs during construction and over 3000 permanent jobs in operation. <\/p>\n

And the 30,000-strong roads workforce will need to grow by a third.<\/p>\n

So we\u2019re investing in a new National Training Academy for Rail.<\/p>\n

And the National College for High Speed Rail.<\/p>\n

We must also confront the gender imbalance that blights today\u2019s infrastructure sector.<\/p>\n

Crossrail has shown the way forward \u2014 I\u2019ve been particularly impressed by the number of women involved.<\/p>\n

Gradually, as we invest in Crossrail, Thameslink, HS2<\/abbr>, and a major roads strategy, we are starting to overhaul the image of transport and engineering and to attract more women to the industry.<\/p>\n

Our approach must be one of equal partnership between government, industry, employers, and our training and educational institutions.<\/p>\n

TfL<\/abbr><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve also committed \u00a310 billion for new London transport improvements over this Parliament.<\/p>\n

Which means a better London Underground, better roads and better buses.<\/p>\n

The funding means TfL<\/abbr> can order 200 more Routemasters this year with 800 new buses a year joining the fleet from 2016 onwards.<\/p>\n

The Tube modernisation plan will continue.<\/p>\n

Closing ticket offices and getting staff to help customers face to face is part of that plan and it\u2019s proving popular.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also time London had 24-hour tube services to reflect its 24-hour economy. <\/p>\n

Just like New York, Chicago, Sydney and Berlin. <\/p>\n

So I hope that the unions will now focus on delivering that objective.<\/p>\n

The recent threat of further industrial action was completely unwarranted.<\/p>\n

After the transition period, no drivers will have to work overnight. <\/p>\n

No-one will have to work more hours. <\/p>\n

And no-one will have to work more than 5 days a week. <\/p>\n

TfL<\/abbr> has also taken on more than 500 extra staff to help run the new service.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s get on with the programme, with no further strikes.<\/p>\n

The Trade Union Reform Bill, debated in the House this week, will help ensure that. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile we\u2019ve asked the Mayor to come forward with proposals for larger infrastructure projects like Crossrail 2 and the Bakerloo Line extension.<\/p>\n

Let me reconfirm \u2014 we\u2019re committed to pushing forward plans for Crossrail 2.<\/p>\n

But \u2014 like any scheme \u2014 it must be affordable, and the business case must be sound.<\/p>\n

As with Crossrail 1, we\u2019ll be looking at a combination of funding sources so the burden does not fall solely on the public purse.<\/p>\n

We expect to have more to say on these schemes and TfL<\/abbr>\u2019s future funding in the upcoming Spending Review.<\/p>\n

Roads and aviation<\/h2>\n

Such is the importance of the Tube that sometimes London\u2019s roads are overlooked.<\/p>\n

But TfL<\/abbr>\u2019s \u00a34 billion \u2018Road modernisation plan\u2019 is a major part of the strategy to keep London moving. <\/p>\n

Compared with many other major capital cities, traffic on London\u2019s roads flows pretty well.<\/p>\n

And the modernisation plan will ensure that continues.<\/p>\n

Encouraging more people to cycle is absolutely key.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the Mayor is committing \u00a3913 million to increase the number of bike journeys to 1.5 million a day by 2026.<\/p>\n

This is a visionary programme which includes new Cycle Superhighways running through central London and significant upgrades to the existing network.<\/p>\n

Finally, I\u2019d like to say a few words about aviation.<\/p>\n

Last year more than 145 million people travelled through London airports \u2013 a record.<\/p>\n

And progress continues to be made on improving the use of existing runway and terminal capacity.<\/p>\n

We are currently considering the recommendations of the Airports Commission, the largest and most detailed study of hub aviation ever made in this country. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a heavyweight report that deserves detailed study. <\/p>\n

Whatever our decision, it will be taken in the best interests of the nation and will protect Britain\u2019s position as a global transport hub.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

So to sum up.<\/p>\n

London today is a city on the move.<\/p>\n

Just as the capital\u2019s economy is moving emphatically in the right direction, so London transport is also being transformed.<\/p>\n

By working together, government and all our partners.<\/p>\n

Transport for London.<\/p>\n

Network Rail.<\/p>\n

Crossrail, Thameslink, and HS2<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

And London\u2019s business community.<\/p>\n

The work we are doing Is not just keeping London mobile.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s equipping the city for the challenges of the future.<\/p>\n

To compete and win in the 21st century global economy.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Transport investment is keeping London mobile and equipping the city for the challenges of the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61622"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=61622"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61622\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=61622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=61622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=61622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}