Strengthening Transport Resilience for a Sustainable Future

I wish to inform the House that my department has today published the transport resilience strategy, dated 2 November 2026.

Transport plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. It connects individuals to their families and employment, facilitates the movement of goods to various industries, and underpins connectivity, economic growth, and public health. A secure and resilient transport system is essential for thriving communities and for fostering economic development throughout the entirety of the UK.

The resilience action plan published in July 2025 outlined this government’s strategic approach to enhancing resilience in an increasingly volatile and uncertain environment. The transport resilience strategy now puts that approach into action within the transport sector, charting our course for the next five to ten years.

Addressing Complex Threats to Transport

The threats and hazards confronting our transport system are becoming more complex and unpredictable. The interconnected nature of the system means that disruptions in one area can rapidly affect others, underscoring the necessity of building resilience across the entire network. Recent events have demonstrated that resilience must not be viewed as an ‘optional extra’ but as a critical component of operations for both businesses and transport operators.

However, resilient infrastructure and robust plans represent only part of the solution. While we will continue to adopt automation and advances in digital technology to enhance safety and efficiency, transport fundamentally relies on people. Consequently, it is imperative that individuals within the transport system are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools essential to maintaining transport operations. By ensuring that all personnel understand their roles and how they contribute to the ongoing resilience of the transport system, and by providing transport users with the necessary information, we can mitigate the likelihood of disruptions and lessen their impact when they do occur.

Actionable Commitments for Improvement

To facilitate this, the strategy aims to enhance the assessment of ongoing transport resilience in order to identify and target areas needing improvement. It encourages the entire system—which includes transport users—to take proactive measures to bolster resilience and strengthens government capabilities in this regard. The strategy includes 22 practical commitments aimed at improving transport resilience, such as the establishment of a new training initiative, the Transport Resilience Academy, and the creation of a sector-wide transport resilience network. Through these initiatives, we will enhance collaboration, foster connections, and promote a comprehensive understanding across the transport system, local partners, and other sectors, allowing them to exchange information and best practices while addressing shared risks collectively.

Collaborative Efforts for Transport Resilience

Transport resilience is a matter that requires the involvement of the entire government, the whole sector, and society as a whole. No single organisation can achieve this alone. As the minister responsible for transport resilience, I am pleased to present a strategy that outlines how we will collaborate in the years ahead to strengthen the resilience of our transport system, safeguard the connections upon which individuals and businesses rely, and ultimately enhance the day-to-day experience of those who utilise our networks.

The transport resilience strategy has been developed in conjunction with stakeholders from across the government and the transport sector. I extend my gratitude to all who contributed their insights and evidence.

The transport resilience strategy has been made available in the libraries of both Houses and can also be accessed on GOV.UK.