Do major transport projects only benefit wealthy commuters?

HS2, Crossrail and other infrastructure projects are hailed for delivering economic growth, but critics say they don't do enough for poor communities

Major UK transport projects, such as HS2, Crossrail, or the trans-Pennine tunnel, are announced to much fanfare - but also criticism. Their champions say infrastructure projects of this scale can deliver widespread regeneration, boost the economy and offer mass employment opportunities. But others have reservations about whether such infrastructure benefits everybody, particularly local people with lower paid and lower skilled jobs.

"There is a tendency for governments to only want to fund transport projects you can see from space," says Stephen Joseph, executive director of Campaign for Better Transport. "But we have long argued that it is local infrastructure that actually matters to most people, but gets the least funding."

If the UK wants to compete for jobs and investment, world class infrastructure will be absolutely essential

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