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Transport group's £350m blueprint Transport group's £350m blueprint
(about 1 hour later)
Walking, cycling and public transport must play a bigger role in the future of local travel, a new report suggests.Walking, cycling and public transport must play a bigger role in the future of local travel, a new report suggests.
Transport alliance Sewta makes its recommendations in a £350m five-year plan for a sustainable regional transport network in south east Wales.Transport alliance Sewta makes its recommendations in a £350m five-year plan for a sustainable regional transport network in south east Wales.
Sewta said its findings were based on the "uncomfortable truth" that present transport trends could not continue.Sewta said its findings were based on the "uncomfortable truth" that present transport trends could not continue.
Its plan would reduce social exclusion, promote health and prosperity and protect the environment, it claimed.Its plan would reduce social exclusion, promote health and prosperity and protect the environment, it claimed.
Sewta, the South East Wales Transport Alliance, is a consortium comprising the region's 10 local authorities working in partnership with public transport operators and users groups.Sewta, the South East Wales Transport Alliance, is a consortium comprising the region's 10 local authorities working in partnership with public transport operators and users groups.
Its Regional Transport Plan (RTP) for 2010-2015 calls for improved accessibility for all, a shift towards alternative modes of travel and reduced climate change emissions. Its regional transport plan (RTP) for 2010-2015 calls for improved accessibility for all, a shift towards alternative modes of travel and reduced climate change emissions.
The threat of climate change must challenge the way our travel behaviour impacts on the environment Sewta chair, councillor Jeffrey JamesThe threat of climate change must challenge the way our travel behaviour impacts on the environment Sewta chair, councillor Jeffrey James
It recommends that as rail serves most of the key towns in the region, and provides a vital link along many of the main traffic corridors, investment should be continued in increasing rail capacity and frequency.It recommends that as rail serves most of the key towns in the region, and provides a vital link along many of the main traffic corridors, investment should be continued in increasing rail capacity and frequency.
It states that as bus travel accounts for much more travel than rail, it aims to significantly improve the quality of bus services. As more people travel by bus than train in Wales, it also aims to significantly improve the quality of bus services.
All this brought together in a safe sustainable and integrated regional network would, it suggests, support the Welsh Assembly Government's transport priorities and play a key role in ensuring future prosperity in the area. Sewta's report, "Moving People", puts dependence on the car as one of the main causes of poor health in the region, which it said has clear social, economic and environmental consequences.
Sewta's report, titled Moving People, puts dependence on the car as one of the main causes of poor health in the area, with clear social, economic and environmental consequences. "Over time an increasing dependence on the car has led to high levels of traffic congestion and an inefficient transport system overall. Traffic congestion costs the local economy £600m a year," said the report.
The report states: "Over time an increasing dependence on the car has led to high levels of traffic congestion and an inefficient transport system overall. Traffic congestion costs the local economy £600m a year. SEWTA'S KEY PROPOSALS More investment in public transportImproved accessibility for all to reduce social exclusionReduced climate change emissionsImproved regional connectivityImproved integration, information and ticketingPromotion of sustainable travel choicesBetter use of the existing road infrastructure Source: Sewta
SEWTA'S KEY PROPOSALS More investment in public transportImproved accessibility for all to reduce social exclusionReduced climate change emissions Improved regional connectivity Improved integration, information and ticketing Promotion of sustainable travel choices Better use of the existing road infrastructure Source: Sewta "Building more and more roads is not an effective solution to these problems, and providing a sustainable transport system which meets Wales' national, international, economic and social needs is the biggest challenge the RTP must tackle."
"Building more and more roads is not an effective solution to these problems, and providing a sustainable transport system which meets Wales' national, international, economic and social needs is the biggest challenge the RTP must tackle. It said "effective and sustainable" transport connections to the rest of Wales and beyond were vital to the region's economy and people.
"Effective and sustainable transport connections to the rest of Wales, the UK and beyond are of vital importance for the people and the economy of South East Wales."
The report said walking was the most widely available form of exercise and accounted for one quarter of all journeys, but found that men are walking 40% less than 15 years ago, and women 25% less.
And it said that while cycling is a sustainable and practical means of making journeys, it currently accounts for less than 1% of transport modes.
Consequently it proposes a 'Smarter Choices' programme to provide better opportunities for people to walk and cycle, including as part of linked trips by public transport.
'Significant impact''Significant impact'
It recommends that as rail serves most of the key towns in the region, and provides a vital link along many of the main traffic corridors, investment should be continued in increasing rail capacity and frequency. Walking was the most widely available form of exercise and accounted for one quarter of all journeys, but the report found men are walking 40% less than 15 years ago, and women 25% less.
It states that as bus travel accounts for much more travel than rail, it aims to significantly improve the quality of bus services. And it said that while cycling is a sustainable and practical means of making journeys, it currently accounts for less than 1% of transport forms.
All this brought together in a safe sustainable and integrated regional network would, it suggests, support the Welsh Assembly Government's transport priorities and play a key role in ensuring future prosperity in the area. Consequently, the consortium proposes a 'smarter choices' programme to provide better opportunities for people to walk and cycle, including as part of linked trips by public transport.
Chair of Sewta, Councillor Jeffrey James, said the plan would have a significant impact on the way people in the area would travel.Chair of Sewta, Councillor Jeffrey James, said the plan would have a significant impact on the way people in the area would travel.
"The threat of climate change must challenge the way our travel behaviour impacts on the environment," he added."The threat of climate change must challenge the way our travel behaviour impacts on the environment," he added.
The report has been submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government, which will assess Sewta's plan and its request for funding, by March 2009.The report has been submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government, which will assess Sewta's plan and its request for funding, by March 2009.