This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2016/apr/28/commuting-british-life-transport-links-housing

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Commuting is now a fact of life. We just need to make it less awful Commuting is now a fact of life. We just need to make it less awful
(4 months later)
Over the course of a weekday morning in Manchester, a significant change takes place. As trains, trams and cars zip along roads and tracks, the population alters rapidly. More than half of the people facing computer screens or talking to colleagues at 10am were not sleeping in the city hours earlier: they were in other towns and cities.Over the course of a weekday morning in Manchester, a significant change takes place. As trains, trams and cars zip along roads and tracks, the population alters rapidly. More than half of the people facing computer screens or talking to colleagues at 10am were not sleeping in the city hours earlier: they were in other towns and cities.
Nearly 180,000 people commute into Manchester every day, outnumbering both the 100,000 who live and work in the same borough and the 15,000 Mancunians who work from home.Nearly 180,000 people commute into Manchester every day, outnumbering both the 100,000 who live and work in the same borough and the 15,000 Mancunians who work from home.
In other places the change is even starker. In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, 79% of the working population live in another borough: fewer than 500 live and work in the borough. Workers come from far afield – 44 people commute in from the southernmost tip of Cornwall, 14 fly from Belfast and two from Shetland. In 21 local authorities ringing the capital, three of which are outside outer London, over 20% of working residents commute into inner London.In other places the change is even starker. In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, 79% of the working population live in another borough: fewer than 500 live and work in the borough. Workers come from far afield – 44 people commute in from the southernmost tip of Cornwall, 14 fly from Belfast and two from Shetland. In 21 local authorities ringing the capital, three of which are outside outer London, over 20% of working residents commute into inner London.
Commuting is now a fact of life for millions of Britons and the days of walking from home to work in 15 minutes have been relegated to the past. The Trades Union Congress reports that the length of our commutes has also risen: more than three million people now commute for more than two hours a day. Between 2004 and 2014, the average commute time rose from 52 minutes to 55 minutes – a number that sounds negligible but amounts to 12 hours a year in a rammed tube, train or bus. .Commuting is now a fact of life for millions of Britons and the days of walking from home to work in 15 minutes have been relegated to the past. The Trades Union Congress reports that the length of our commutes has also risen: more than three million people now commute for more than two hours a day. Between 2004 and 2014, the average commute time rose from 52 minutes to 55 minutes – a number that sounds negligible but amounts to 12 hours a year in a rammed tube, train or bus. .
Related: Millions of people spend two or more hours commuting a day
High house prices in the south-east have forced many people out of the capital and into longer commutes. Other cities experience the same thing: Oxford schools struggle to fill teaching jobs as rents rise and housing costs far outstrip wage increases. Key worker housing can help, but without better infrastructure, cities become crowded and quality of life continues to suffer. With better transport links, the pace of life becomes easier: if you could move to a larger house in a quieter, cheaper area and have a reasonable commute, millions of people would happily do it.High house prices in the south-east have forced many people out of the capital and into longer commutes. Other cities experience the same thing: Oxford schools struggle to fill teaching jobs as rents rise and housing costs far outstrip wage increases. Key worker housing can help, but without better infrastructure, cities become crowded and quality of life continues to suffer. With better transport links, the pace of life becomes easier: if you could move to a larger house in a quieter, cheaper area and have a reasonable commute, millions of people would happily do it.
Instead, thousands of people are stuck in a lose-lose situation. Extreme commutes mean relying on expensive childcare and spending less time with loved ones. Technology has enabled a rise in home working, and we can hold conference and video calls easily, but most new jobs created are south of the Watford Gap so many of us are still forced to spend hours on packed trains.Instead, thousands of people are stuck in a lose-lose situation. Extreme commutes mean relying on expensive childcare and spending less time with loved ones. Technology has enabled a rise in home working, and we can hold conference and video calls easily, but most new jobs created are south of the Watford Gap so many of us are still forced to spend hours on packed trains.
Better transport links could help everyone. Many people want to live in London but many would leave if it was practical. Making it easier to reach big cities would take the heat off housing markets in many parts of the country, meaning fewer people are forced out, and those who want to live further from the office can get in quickly.Better transport links could help everyone. Many people want to live in London but many would leave if it was practical. Making it easier to reach big cities would take the heat off housing markets in many parts of the country, meaning fewer people are forced out, and those who want to live further from the office can get in quickly.
But the problems for commuters are longstanding. Research by the Scottish government in 2006 (pdf) reported concerns about public transport costs, overcrowding and a lack of linked-up infrastructure, meaning trains and buses often failed to serve long-distance commuters. Instead, many people turned to cars but felt the road system had not kept up with changing use. Business are also worried – a 2011 report by the Confederation of British Industry (pdf) found that 65% of firms believed the local road network had deteriorated since 2006. Almost half of firms also expressed concern over the state of the UK’s commuter rail network: just 22% are satisfied that it was improving.But the problems for commuters are longstanding. Research by the Scottish government in 2006 (pdf) reported concerns about public transport costs, overcrowding and a lack of linked-up infrastructure, meaning trains and buses often failed to serve long-distance commuters. Instead, many people turned to cars but felt the road system had not kept up with changing use. Business are also worried – a 2011 report by the Confederation of British Industry (pdf) found that 65% of firms believed the local road network had deteriorated since 2006. Almost half of firms also expressed concern over the state of the UK’s commuter rail network: just 22% are satisfied that it was improving.
Related: Commuters save £3,000 on property each minute further out of London
Across the UK, house prices differ vastly. While some areas have plenty of affordable housing, their transport links make relocating an unattractive prospect for workers. In turn, their economies suffer as more and more capital gets concentrated in smaller and smaller geographic hubs, with overheating housing markets. Home-working can free people from the grind of the daily commute but anxieties about workplace exclusion and being passed over for promotion mean many people choose to go into the office. Few people now stay in the same profession for a lifetime: better transport links across the country would offer the opportunity to extend job searches beyond a limited, commutable area.Across the UK, house prices differ vastly. While some areas have plenty of affordable housing, their transport links make relocating an unattractive prospect for workers. In turn, their economies suffer as more and more capital gets concentrated in smaller and smaller geographic hubs, with overheating housing markets. Home-working can free people from the grind of the daily commute but anxieties about workplace exclusion and being passed over for promotion mean many people choose to go into the office. Few people now stay in the same profession for a lifetime: better transport links across the country would offer the opportunity to extend job searches beyond a limited, commutable area.
Making the workplace more mobile, and commutes less expensive and onerous, has a dual purpose – those who want to can live in areas of the UK that are cheaper, with more space and a quieter pace of life. Fewer people will opt for a second home if staying away from home is not the only option during weekdays due to long commutes. And those in built up cities will see the battle for housing, whether renting or buying, ease a little.Making the workplace more mobile, and commutes less expensive and onerous, has a dual purpose – those who want to can live in areas of the UK that are cheaper, with more space and a quieter pace of life. Fewer people will opt for a second home if staying away from home is not the only option during weekdays due to long commutes. And those in built up cities will see the battle for housing, whether renting or buying, ease a little.
Talk to us on Twitter via @Guardianpublic and sign up for your free weekly Guardian Public Leaders newsletter with news and analysis sent direct to you every Thursday.Talk to us on Twitter via @Guardianpublic and sign up for your free weekly Guardian Public Leaders newsletter with news and analysis sent direct to you every Thursday.