ACE Group has cautiously welcomed the £15.6 billion funding settlement, likely to be part of devolved City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding package, and the announcement of the new Manchester to Liverpool railway line.

These investments signal a positive step toward enhancing regional connectivity and sustainable transport infrastructure across the UK. 

The package of transport announcements includes transformative projects such as: 

•   £2.4 billion for the West Midlands to extend the metro from Birmingham city centre to the new sports quarter.
•   £2.1 billion to kickstart the West Yorkshire Mass Transit system by 2028.
•   £2.5 billion for Greater Manchester, funding new tram stops in Bury, Manchester, and Oldham and extending the tram network to Stockport.
•   £1.5 billion for South Yorkshire, including £530 million to renew the region’s tram system.
•   £2 billion for the East Midlands to design a new mass transit system connecting Derby and Nottingham.

Additionally, the proposed Manchester to Liverpool railway line promises to strengthen economic links between these two powerhouse cities, enabling growth and opportunity.  

Kate Jennings, CEO of ACE Group, said: “While ACE Group applauds the ambition behind these initiatives, we urge the government to ensure that funding commitments extend beyond business case development to full design, construction, and delivery.  

“These projects have huge potential to transform communities and drive regional growth, closing the productivity gap with London, but their success depends on comprehensive funding from start to finish. Partial funding risks delays, cost overruns, and unfulfilled promises” 

Ben Brittain, Director of Public Affairs at ACE Group, added: “Funding certainty is vital for successful delivery of transport projects that goes beyond electoral cycles. This will allow industry to drive innovation, effectively manage costs and improve productivity enabling these transport projects to be delivered successfully.  

“The lesson from transport infrastructure delivery around the globe is that successful delivery depends on full commitment and full funding." 

Alongside this, ACE Group is calling for transparent timelines, robust oversight and sustained investment to ensure these projects deliver tangible benefits for passengers, local economies and the environment.