Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson Warn Labour’s Transport Promises Must Avoid Repeats of Tory False Starts

Lib Dems welcome regional transport investment but warn Labour must deliver on their commitments and drive forward long-overdue projects promised by the previous Government. 

Following today’s Spending Review announcement by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which includes multi-billion-pound investments in England’s transport infrastructure, the Liberal Democrats have cautiously welcomed the renewed commitment to long-overdue rail upgrades, but warned that communities will not tolerate another round of broken promises.

The Chancellor confirmed that the long-delayed Liverpool-Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail project will finally go ahead, an echo of similar commitments made under George Osborne a decade ago. Details remain vague and are reportedly deferred to the upcoming Infrastructure Strategy.

Also announced were funding packages including £15 billion for local transport connections, with metro extensions in Birmingham, Tyne and Wear, and Stockport, support for Doncaster Airport, an additional £2.5 billion for the Oxford-Cambridge East-West Rail line, and £445 million in long-overdue funding for railways in Wales. 

While the Chancellor claims these plans represent the “biggest investment of its kind,” serious questions remain, particularly over the escalating costs of the now-curtailed HS2 project, which could hit £100 billion once updated to 2025 prices.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Paul Kohler MP, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson and MP for Wimbledon, said:

“This is a welcome and much-needed investment in public transport, but the Chancellor’s words will ring hollow for communities who’ve heard it all before. The Conservative government made countless promises and delivered very little. 

“For families across the country still struggling with soaring fares and unreliable services, Labour must prove they’re not just offering the same warmed-over rhetoric in a new colour.”

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for a transport policy that puts affordability, sustainability and fairness at the heart of government decisions.”