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Threat of "firm action" if rail services do not improve
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Searching for the Way Forward
A key transport consultation document putting forward options to curb congestion and provide more choice for travellers is being published by the Government.
TRUNK ROADS Major road projects are being reviewed with decisions being
made on the basis of integration, accessibility, safety, economy and
environmental impact.
The Government wants to see cleaner cars, lorries and vans, with lower levels of harmful emissions and improvements in road safety.
Forecasts suggest that in 20 years' time, traffic levels will be between 36% and 57% higher than now unless policies and travel habits change.
CAR CURBS People are being asked to consider if some restrictions on car usage is the answer to urban congestion. Views are being sought on increasing the price of public parking, possibly taxing companies' car parking provisions and charging for the use of roads. Transport groups will also be asked how the receipts from such resources might be used.
RAIL The Government is committed to establishing a new rail authority combining the functions of the Rail Franchising Director and the Department of Environment and Transport. It is also keen to make the railways more effective and accountable. It wants a network which is integrated with other forms of transport. The document warns of "firm action" being taken if rail services do not come up to scratch.
BUSES A possible re-regulation of buses outside London which were deregulated in the mid-1980s. Regulatory change could follow a number of models - e.g., franchised local services, with operators bidding competitively to run services on routes determined by the local authority, or area franchises,
where operators would agree to run services throughout a given area, perhaps to
minimum service levels.
CYCLING and WALKING The Government wants to secure safer routes to school, to increase the amount of cycling and walking and to encourage businesses to promote "greener" transport patterns for travel to and from work.
AVIATION Airport passenger numbers are set to continue to
grow at around 4.5% a year. Airports are seen as vital, but the Government wants
to see how they can play a full part in meeting both transport and environmental
needs of the regions.
SHIPPING
The document says a thriving and competitive sea ports
industry was a must. Inland waterways are seen as an alternative to road
transport.
FINANCE The Government admits resources are "constrained" and that developing an integrated policy will have to take place against "the various competing calls on Government expenditure".
People are asked if new funding measures should be pursued and what roles "pricing, fiscal policies and regulation" should play in achieving transport goals.
ENVIRONMENT There is a need to reduce the impact of transport on the air we breathe, on greenhouse gases and on the natural and built environment.
Transport groups are asked how more environmentally-friendly vehicles and fuels are can be actively encouraged. Another question is whether transport policy would be enhanced by adopting a range of transport targets.
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