The House of Commons Transport Committee will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into Strategic Transport Objectives tomorrow (Wednesday), examining how the Government sets its objectives and how they influence decisions on investment.

In the first panel, MPs will question the Chairs of the National Infrastructure Commission and the Union Connectivity Review. The cross-party Committee will ask whether the Government has a clear plan for transport and about proposed changes to the Government’s strategic transport approach. Questions may be asked about how aligned the planning and appraisal process for new investment is with these objectives.

The Committee may also ask about inconsistencies in transport strategies and the powers, responsibilities and funding of different layers of national, regional and local Government.

In the second panel, the Committee will quiz policy experts from the University of Leeds, the Institute of Civil Engineers and Imperial College London. MPs will ask for their views on the strategic transport objectives and whether a national transport Strategy should be created. They may also discuss new investment, and whether the current planning and appraisal process for investment strikes the right balance between economic, social and environmental considerations.

The co-ordination of policy approaches by different government departments, the distribution of policy responsibilities and private sector investment may also be discussed.

Witnesses at 9:30: 

·       Sir John Armitt CBE, Chair, National Infrastructure Commission 

·       Lord Hendy CBE, Chair, Union Connectivity Review 

Witnesses at 10:30: 

·       Professor Jillian Anable, Chair in Transport and Energy, University of Leeds 

·       Professor Stephen Glaister CBE, Emeritus Professor of Transport and Infrastructure, Imperial College London 

·       Jonathan Spruce, Policy Fellow, Institute of Civil Engineers 

(Picture – House of Commons)