We consider how existing distance-based and accessibility-based evaluation methodologies can be adapted to measure the local economic impact of small additions to the transport network. We use these methodologies to evaluate the impact of 94 UK Local Major schemes (partly) funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) between 2007 and 2018. For public transport schemes, the results suggest some impacts on local economic activity, with a 1.6% increase in the number of businesses. The effects are localised, concentrated in areas within 1 km of schemes. For road schemes, we do not find a measurable, statistically significant impact. We discuss the limitations of these methods and issues arising in their application and provide recommendations for future evaluations.

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27 February 2025     Paper Number CEPDP2081

Download PDF - Evaluating the local economic impacts of transport projects and programmes (with an application to UK Local Major schemes)

This CEP discussion paper is published under the centre's Urban programme.