I participated in the stakeholder consultation for the Local Transport Plan. I was impressed by the stated vision to make active travel "the natural first choice for short trips", travel by public transport "increasingly attractive and accessible", and communities "less dependent on private cars". I was hopeful that it would take a radical turn in a sustainable direction. I am sorely disappointed. It's clear that the planners have struggled to break free from the old way of doing things. They have just carried on with transport-planning-as-usual: building roads.
WE ARE IN A CRISIS! Our air is dangerously polluted, and our climate is changing faster than the scientific community anticipated. The last two years have seen exceptional rain leading to flooding and crop failure. It's only going to get worse. We need rapid and radical change if we are to avert catastrophe.
The Local Transport Plan reflects neither the need of the nation nor it's own vision statement. It contains vague aspirations for active travel and public transport, but detailed plans for extensive road investments to facilitate the use of private cars. The disconnect between the vision and the proposed interventions is stark. It's small consolation that the reason some of these road project won't go ahead is lack of money rather than a change of direction towards a more sustainable future.
Cancelled "due to inflation" essentially, so in actual fact the old money set aside originally for these schemes is still available somewhere, or should be, it's just with inflation they cannot afford the new amount. So, can we have some of that money redistributed to other smaller schemes such as essential repairs in smaller roads such as Abbots Way? Highway keep ignoring people so you never get an answer, as does the MP and cabinet member. In truth, the administration are angling for a top up from government.
I participated in the stakeholder consultation for the Local Transport Plan. I was impressed by the stated vision to make active travel "the natural first choice for short trips", travel by public transport "increasingly attractive and accessible", and communities "less dependent on private cars". I was hopeful that it would take a radical turn in a sustainable direction. I am sorely disappointed. It's clear that the planners have struggled to break free from the old way of doing things. They have just carried on with transport-planning-as-usual: building roads.
WE ARE IN A CRISIS! Our air is dangerously polluted, and our climate is changing faster than the scientific community anticipated. The last two years have seen exceptional rain leading to flooding and crop failure. It's only going to get worse. We need rapid and radical change if we are to avert catastrophe.
The Local Transport Plan reflects neither the need of the nation nor it's own vision statement. It contains vague aspirations for active travel and public transport, but detailed plans for extensive road investments to facilitate the use of private cars. The disconnect between the vision and the proposed interventions is stark. It's small consolation that the reason some of these road project won't go ahead is lack of money rather than a change of direction towards a more sustainable future.
Cancelled "due to inflation" essentially, so in actual fact the old money set aside originally for these schemes is still available somewhere, or should be, it's just with inflation they cannot afford the new amount. So, can we have some of that money redistributed to other smaller schemes such as essential repairs in smaller roads such as Abbots Way? Highway keep ignoring people so you never get an answer, as does the MP and cabinet member. In truth, the administration are angling for a top up from government.