Government’s Net Zero Strategy published today sets out the blueprint for the UK to meet it’s 2050 net zero carbon target.

Transport for the South East (TfSE) – which brings together local councils, local enterprise partnerships and transport bodies from across the region – welcomes this much anticipated strategy as they work towards their strategic investment plan and ambition to decarbonise transport, in line with their 2050 vision.

The Net Zero Strategy: Build back greener sets the pace for greener, better transport across the UK by:

• Ending the sale of all new, polluting vans and lorries by 2040 and net zero aviation emissions by 2050. This in addition to the existing ban on the sale of all new diesel, petrol and hybrid cars from 2035.
• Improving availability, accessibility and reliability of EV charging points.
• Increasing the share of journey’s taken by public transport, cycling and walking with further investment in local transport systems.
• Creating more miles of segregated cycle lane and more low-traffic neighbourhoods.
• Investing in the National Bus Strategy and creating more regular and efficient bus journeys as well as more zero emission buses.
• Electrifying more railway lines by 2050 and removing all diesel-only trains by 2040.

These ambitious commitments support research conducted by TfSE which shows investment is needed across the whole transport network. Looking not only at increasing the availability, affordability and convenience of electric vehicles, but also working towards improving other modes of transport and reducing car-dependency. The additional investment in local transport systems and bus networks cited in the strategy will be essential to support this modal shift.

As the UK’s principal gateway for people and goods it is encouraging to see Government’s commitment to support the transition of freight from road to more sustainable alternatives, such as, rail, cargo bikes and inland waterways. TfSE are committed to supporting Government’s levelling up agenda and know that investment in the South East is a powerful enabler for growth across the UK. This supports the money already being spent in the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine to ensure those areas have strong access to supply chains and consumers across the world.

This strategy recognises not only do we need to decarbonise the transport sector to meet the 2050 net zero target, but also improve the public transport and active travel offer. TfSE provides an evidence base to guide this transition and to coordinate development of a more attractive low carbon transport network for the South East. We look forward to working with the Department for Transport and our partners to turn this strategy into the reality.

Cllr Keith Glazier, chair of Transport for the South East