Assessing transport infrastructure for the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor

The National Infrastructure Commission appointed Steer to undertake a study to inform them on the impact that different patterns of spatial development to 2050 might have on the performance, capacity and sustainability of the strategic road network, other primary routes and national rail network within the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Corridor, and between this corridor and other destinations.

To understand the impact of alternative growth scenarios on the strategic road and rail networks, a range of land-use and transport supply scenarios were tested within our Regional Dynamic Model (RDM). The model was designed specifically to look at how transport, people, employers and land-use interact over time.

The outputs of the model were used to consider the extent to which constraints on the transport networks could limit the transformational growth potential of the corridor. Also, the impact of local first-mile, last-mile transport strategies to complement strategic initiatives such as the proposed East West Rail scheme and the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.

The results of our analysis indicate that without delivery of the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway and East West Rail, up to 100,000 new homes and 300,000 additional jobs could be suppressed.

However, the projected growth of commuting volumes into and within the largest towns and cities along the corridor is substantial, and in the absence of any local measures could lead to greatly increased local congestion.

For this reason, a mix of strategic and local transport interventions are needed to achieve the growth potential of the corridor, as well as helping to achieve wider social and environmental objectives.