Mobility as a Multiplier: Unlocking the Economic Potential of Inclusive Transport

Britain's inaccessible transport system is costing the economy billions of pounds every year, locking millions of people out of work, education and everyday life.

New research from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Mobility as a Multiplier: Unlocking the Economic Potential of Inclusive Transport, reveals that removing transport accessibility barriers could unlock up to £176.4 billion in economic growth, generate billions in additional fare revenue, boost high street spending and help deliver the UK's Net Zero ambitions.

The report makes the economic case for treating inclusive transport not as a social policy issue, but as a strategic investment in national productivity, growth and prosperity. It sets out practical recommendations to accelerate progress, including targeted tax incentives, a national accessibility data platform, embedding inclusive design across engineering standards and education, and ensuring transport systems are designed around the needs of the people who use them.

The analysis shows that the economic benefits of delivering an inclusive transport network would significantly outweigh the costs of implementation. It estimates that creating a fully accessible rail network would cost between £20 billion and £24 billion over a number of years, while the wider economic gains from removing barriers to employment, travel and participation would begin to accrue immediately and continue to grow over time.

James Partington, Director of Engineering Policy and Impact at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: "Britain does not have a transport problem. It has a growth problem disguised as a transport problem. Fixing accessibility is not just the right thing to do, it is one of the fastest ways to unlock jobs, boost the economy and futureproof the country. The prize is enormous. The cost of doing nothing is even bigger."

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