AfA: Improving Lives and Boosting Local Economies

Economic growth is probably the biggest Government priority right now. The capacity to promote economic growth is a universal yardstick against which all potential investments are measured. So it’s not unexpected to ask where Access for All (AfA) schemes fit in. How do they help generate economic growth – both locally and nationally?

Looking at the big picture, the available research on how rail investments affect overall employment levels reveals a mixed impact. Some studies indicate a clear net increase in labour supply, which promotes greater levels of economic activity around the new or enhanced station. Some studies, though, suggest this can be partly a displacement of jobs from areas further away.

The academic studies tend to focus on the effect of completely new transport infrastructure such as urban transport systems, rather than on the impact of upgrading existing stations to make them accessible to more people. This is a key distinction.Economic growth is probably the biggest Government priority right now. The capacity to promote economic growth is a universal yardstick against which all potential investments are measured. So it’s not unexpected to ask where Access for All (AfA) schemes fit in. How do they help generate economic growth – both locally and nationally?

Looking at the big picture, the available research on how rail investments affect overall employment levels reveals a mixed impact. Some studies indicate a clear net increase in labour supply, which promotes greater levels of economic activity around the new or enhanced station. Some studies, though, suggest this can be partly a displacement of jobs from areas further away.

The academic studies tend to focus on the effect of completely new transport infrastructure such as urban transport systems, rather than on the impact of upgrading existing stations to make them accessible to more people. This is a key distinction.

Helping More People Become Economically Active

A specific feature of AfA investments is that people who are more likely to be economically inactive stand to gain the biggest benefit. These are people who often find transport difficulties a major barrier to employment, education and training. This is most likely where overall growth in the UK labor force will come from and where AfA has a positive impact on the economy.

For rail operators there’s a more direct benefit through increased fare income and revenue generated from the station estate – both of which are boosted by higher passenger numbers. Retail and leisure businesses close to enhanced stations stand to benefit in similar ways.

Sustainable and Inclusive

It’s easy with AfA programmes to focus narrowly on compliance with technical, performance and operational requirements. But there’s clearly a bigger economic and social perspective. Part of this is reputational, as successful AfA schemes help position rail as a sustainable and inclusive mode of transport.

And a crucial aspect of compliance is overcoming passengers’ real accessibility issues. This avoids the risk of subsequent retrofit works and ensures that the AfA budget delivers the maximum impact socially and economically.

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