Key Principles

• People should be free to choose how they travel.

• Transport systems must be reliable, affordable, and accessible.

• Investment should prioritise practical improvements, not headline projects.

• Infrastructure must support both urban and rural communities.

• Policy should improve movement—not restrict it.

• Standards must be enforceable and based on real-world outcomes.

The Problem: A System That Restricts Instead of Enables

Transport policy in the UK has become increasingly contradictory.

• Public transport is often unreliable or impractical

• Road users face increasing restrictions and costs

• Infrastructure investment has been uneven and poorly targeted

• Policies often focus on limiting behaviour rather than improving alternatives

The result is a system that neither delivers effective public transport nor supports those who rely on private vehicles.

A Balanced Transport System

Freedom Alliance rejects the idea that one mode of transport should be forced at the expense of others.

We support:

• Strong public transport where it is practical

• Continued use of private vehicles where necessary

• A mix of transport options that reflect real-world needs

People should use public transport because it works—not because they are forced to.

Railways

We will prioritise practical rail improvements over large, high-cost projects with limited impact.

We will:

• Reallocate funding from large-scale projects such as HS2 into regional rail improvements

• Invest in reliability, maintenance, and capacity on existing lines

• Expand rail freight to reduce pressure on roads

• Reopen viable former branch lines where routes remain usable

• Support development of light rail systems where appropriate

Accessibility on Rail

Rail travel must be reliable and usable for everyone—not just in theory, but in practice.

While accessibility standards exist, they are too often inconsistent, unreliable, or dependent on staff availability.

We will:

• Require reliable “turn up and go” assistance, not systems that depend entirely on advance booking.

• Introduce accountability for failed assistance, including missed support or inability to board.

• Set minimum operational standards for accessibility infrastructure, including lifts, step-free access, and platform safety.

• Ensure clear, real-time information on accessibility availability (e.g. lift outages).

• Prioritise accessibility improvements in regional and rural stations—not just major hubs.

If a service cannot be used reliably, it is not truly accessible.

Roads and Motorists

Private vehicles remain essential for many people, particularly in rural areas and for disabled individuals.

We will:

• Prioritise road maintenance, including potholes, drainage, and lighting

• Improve traffic flow through better road design and signal management

• Address bottlenecks through targeted infrastructure improvements

• Support town centres with accessible and affordable parking

We will assess all restrictions based on real-world impact, fairness, and availability of alternatives.

Approach to Restrictions and Charges

We will review schemes such as LTNs, emissions zones, and congestion charging based on:

• demonstrable impact on congestion and air quality

• fairness to residents and businesses

• availability of realistic alternatives

We support measures that demonstrably improve air quality, provided they are proportionate, evidence-based, and practical.

Parking and Access

We will:

• require cash payment options for parking

• prevent app-only parking systems

• introduce fair and transparent enforcement standards

• regulate private parking operators more strictly

Vehicle Policy

We will:

• support consumer choice between petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles

• ensure transitions are practical and supported by infrastructure

• avoid blanket policies that do not reflect real-world readiness

Freight and Haulage

We will:

• improve conditions and facilities for HGV drivers

• review regulatory burdens to ensure they are proportionate

• address fuel cost pressures

• improve logistics infrastructure and parking provision

Buses and Local Transport

Local transport must reflect local needs and be usable in practice.

We will:

• require greater consultation with communities on routes and services

• ensure bus services meet clear standards for reliability, accessibility, and value

• introduce real-time information at stops

• review bus lanes to ensure they improve overall traffic flow

• ensure buses remain accessible, including cash payment options

Accessibility and Fair Access to Bus Services

Bus services are essential for many people, yet current systems often limit access in ways that do not reflect real life.

We will:

• review concessionary travel schemes to ensure they reflect real-world travel patterns, including access to work, healthcare, and social activity—not just off-peak travel

• ensure services are reliable enough to be used for essential journeys

• require consistent standards for driver training in accessibility and passenger support

• improve physical accessibility of stops and boarding points

Transport access should reflect how people live—not when it is most convenient for the system.

Taxis and Private Hire

We will:

• enforce standards for driver qualification, safety, and vehicle condition

• strengthen accountability for refusal of service to disabled passengers

• ensure licensing reflects local demand

• prevent exploitative pricing practices while allowing fair competition

Underground and Metro Systems

We will:

• prioritise maintenance and reliability

• address environmental conditions such as air quality

• improve infrastructure resilience to reduce delays

Walking and Public Spaces

We will:

• ensure pavements are safe, well-maintained, and accessible

• enforce existing rules on unsafe cycling behaviour

• prioritise pedestrian safety

Air and Aviation

We will:

• review Air Passenger Duty, particularly for domestic flights

• support development of regional airports

• ensure aviation policy is based on practical and technological reality

• avoid unnecessary barriers to travel

Accessibility in Air Travel

Air travel must be accessible, reliable, and dignified for disabled passengers.

We will:

• require enforceable accessibility standards for airlines and airports

• introduce accountability where mobility aids are damaged or mishandled

• minimise unnecessary separation from essential equipment

• set maximum waiting times for assistance services

• require clear communication throughout the journey

Accessibility is not an optional extra—it is fundamental to freedom of movement.

Water Transport

We will:

• increase use of waterways where viable

• support investment in ports and coastal infrastructure

• encourage development of maritime industries

Fares and Integration

We will:

• explore a national multi-modal travel system

• simplify fare structures

• reduce confusion for passengers

Door-to-Door Accessibility

Transport must work across the entire journey—not just individual parts.

We will:

• improve access routes to transport hubs

• ensure coordination between transport modes

• reduce gaps that make journeys impractical

A journey is only accessible if every part of it works.

Accessibility Standards (Cross-System)

Accessibility must be judged on real-world usability—not just technical compliance.

We will:

• require consistent standards across regions

• ensure systems are usable in practice, not just on paper

Delivery Framework

We will:

• prioritise maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure

• align national strategy with local delivery

• require clear performance standards

• introduce transparent reporting on reliability and outcomes

Funding and Delivery Approach

We will prioritise practical improvements over large-scale projects with limited real-world impact.

We will:

• redirect funding toward maintenance, reliability, and local infrastructure

• improve efficiency in transport spending

• fund projects based on demonstrated need and measurable outcomes

All major investments will be subject to independent assessment and public accountability.

Freedom Alliance will deliver a transport system that works in practice—reliable, accessible, and based on real-world needs.

By focusing on infrastructure, choice, and accountability, we will ensure that people can move freely and efficiently across the country.