ABSTRACT
Investment in high-quality public transport infrastructure has been severely lacking in the UK for many years, and particularly in the smaller urban areas and their hinterlands beyond the main cities. These areas often have poor public transport services, residents have quite poor levels of accessibility to employment, services and activities, and in response have become significantly more car-dependent. Public transport provision, including light rapid transit, is much more effectively provided in smaller urban areas in France and Germany, providing examples of how services might be developed in the UK. This chapter examines public transport provision in the UK, and the problems of providing funding for projects. In comparison, two cases are explored where high-quality networks have been developed: Valenciennes’ single-track tramway system and Kassel’s RegioTram system. The opportunities and barriers concerning the development of these types of systems in the UK are explored.
