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John Grimshaw, Sustrans Director and Chief Engineer, said:
"We want the next government to help us continue to provide the necessary infrastructure for people to exercise a choice in the way the travel and live. Creating environments where people feel safe and communities that have cohesion are among the first steps to addressing issues such as local and global pollution and environmental damage. We hope that politicians of all parties will examine what we propose and incorporate it into future policies."
A Path to Progress advises the new administration to:
* assist Sustrans in extending the National Cycle Network to 10,000 miles by 2005 and further still beyond
* set targets for the reduction of motorised trips
* every child to have access to high quality pedestrian and cyclist safety training
* encourage more traffic calming schemes and introduce a blanket 20mph limit in new residential areas
* target resources at areas where poor levels of health exist including the provision of safe cycling and walking facilities
Here’s the full document:
A PATH TO PROGRESS
Over the next ten years motor traffic, measured by distance travelled, is predicted to rise 22%(DETR). This is both environmentally and economically unsustainable.
SUSTRANS
Sustrans is an independent transport and environment charity that works on practical projects to encourage people to walk and cycle more often.
Sustrans advocates the use and promotion of sustainable transport to reduce the use of fossil fuels and alleviate their damaging effects on the environment.
Sustrans acts as a catalyst for change in the way transport, housing and development are planned and implemented. It works in partnership with national and local government, environmental bodies and others at a local level enabling communities to develop together in sustainable way.
A Path to Progress sets out what the next government could do to actively promote sustainable living in the UK.
TRANSPORT
* assist Sustrans in extending the National Cycle Network to 10,000 miles by 2005 and further still beyond.
* provide sufficient resources to the National Cycling Strategy target of quadrupling cycling by 2012
* continue to provide funding through local authority transport plans that specify work on cycling measures, including maintenance of the National Cycle Network
* invest sufficient funds in cycling to ensure that local authorities provide a cycle route network in all settlements of more than 10,000 people by 2006
* support Sustrans’ initiatives to improve cycling and walking access to key transport centres such as rail and bus stations
* abandon major road schemes which are likely to only generate more traffic or shift congestion to other locations
* maintain a commitment to investment in an integrated transport system for both freight and passenger transport
* support and offer incentives to employers that make provision for, and encourage employees to, travel to work in a sustainable way
* assist in the development of rural transport centres to co-ordinate different modes of transport and deliver an inclusive service to rural dwellers and visitors
HEALTH
* make funding for health promotion a priority and encourage people to exercise by building walking and cycling into their everyday patterns of transport and leisure. This would reap long tern benefits and reduce the burden on the public and private healthcare systems.
* address the rising levels of obesity and poor fitness in the population, especially among young people
* target resources at areas where poor levels of health exist including the provision of safe cycling and walking facilities
HOUSING AND PLANNING
* ensure that all new developments incorporate sustainable transport in the planning stage.
* give enhanced guidance for the design and implementation of access for pedestrians and cyclists
* encourage more traffic calming schemes and introduce a blanket 20mph limit in new residential areas
* improve the built environment generally to allow young people to engage with their peers and their surroundings
EDUCATION
* support the establishment of Safe Routes to Schools schemes
* every child to have access to high quality pedestrian and cyclist safety training
* discourage the use of motorised traffic for trips to and from schools and parking around school entrances
* promote sustainable transport concepts within the National Curriculum
* encourage schools and local authorities to adopt sustainable school transport policies
ENVIRONMENT
* set targets for the reduction of motorised trips
* reduce the level of motorised traffic and cut the UK’s emissions of greenhouse gases
* incorporate sustainable transport into the planning process in order to protect and enhance the environment and help meet traffic REDUCTION targets
TAXATION
* Introduce tax incentives for employers and employees to encourage use of sustainable transport, including the provision of cycle storage and shower facilities
* increase the mileage allowance for the use of cycles for work purposes
CRIME
* encourage the strict enforcement of traffic law to discourage anti-social behaviour such as speeding or parking in cycle lanes
* make the enforcement of traffic law a performance measure for the police
* introduce tough penalties for motorists convicted of driving offences where disregard for vulnerable roads users is evident, eg dangerous or aggressive behaviour
