Increased public transport funding and road charging mechanisms form part of a future outlined by the Independent Transport Commission, in the search for ‘net zero’ carbon.
Authored by the ITC’s Sarah Kendall and Matthew Niblett, The Covid-19 Pandemic, Transport and Land Use in Britain: Key Strategic Issues for Policy Makers report argues: “The impacts of the pandemic have resulted in major shifts in behavioural patterns, as well as accelerating pre-existing travel and land use trends, requiring a major system reset.”
Although the ITC accepts that it is “difficult to predict future trends and timing”, the report suggests that making local neighbourhoods part of a ‘green future’ can help reduce the need for longer-distance travel.
It also argues that the home-delivery retail model needs to be managed, including “improved last mile delivery solutions in order to reduce congestion and harmful emissions, especially in urban areas”.
Kendall said the pandemic “has created an opportunity to improve our neighbourhoods and our transport networks as the economy recovers”.
However, she added: “Policy interventions are needed to avoid increased pollution and carbon emissions and declining public transport and accessibility.”
David Hunt. - 23/10/2021 15:57
Past and present government,appear to be afraid of road users.Speed limits are a joke,the majority break them,mobile phone use is rampant by motorists.Every road law seems no longer to be properly enforced.There needs to be an immediate end to any road building,a new road just creates more traffic.The A303 is a prime example.(I am a motorist)