Research and Reports

Missing Links

Missing Links - a joint product of the above organisations - sets out the case for transport improvements in the South East, which it describes as “the UK’s most profitable economy and a major international transport gateway”. Arguing that investment in South East infrastructure will benefit the whole UK, the paper makes the case that the region’s “economic success and role as a major funder of public spending are at risk from under-investment in transport infrastructure that is essential for local and national economic growth. Road and rail routes to and through the South East are congested, overcrowded and inefficient, damaging business profitability and making the UK less attractive globally”. There is a dual focus on north-south and east-west links and while much of the projects called for involve roads, the paper also argues for better direct links from Oxford, through Reading and Gatwick Airport to Ashford (Kent) complete with electrification and a flyover at Redhill. It also calls for improving access for freight to ports.