Sustrans want travel reduction targets

Heres the release:

CUT TRIPS NOT TAXES SAYS SUSTRANS – GOVERNMENT URGED TO

SET TARGETS FOR TRAVEL REDUCTION

Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity [1], today called on the

Government to stand firm on fuel prices, set national and local targets for

reductions in the number of motorised journeys, re-invest tax revenue in

public transport and ensure sustainable forms of transport are built into

development plans.

John Grimshaw, Sustrans Director and Chief Engineer said, "Sustrans

welcomes yesterday’s speech by the Prime Minister. The effects of global

warming and climate change are already becoming apparent. We urge the

Government to use fuel prices as an essential component in any long-term

strategy towards sustainability. What is the point of having cheap fuel when your cities and roads are under water? The recent fuel crisis was just a

rehearsal for the real shortages that are inevitable. We would like to see

national and local targets set for reductions in the overall number of

motorised trips. Now is the time to make choices that will have reap long

term benefits for our quality of life at local and a global level."

Sustrans believes that the Government has to convince the public of the

need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and should restate its commitment

to cutting pollution.

The charity also called for:

* a revision and acceleration of the Ten Year Transport Plan with a greater

emphasis on local solutions rather than spending on major new roads [2]

* a statement of the level of investment in the public transport infrastructure,

coupled with a programme for boosting walking and cycling

* a National Energy Policy that addresses the UK’s economic vulnerability

to interruptions in supply and embraces sustainable and renewable means

of generation such as wind, wave and solar power

* a commitment to ensuring new housing developments planned for the

next twenty years are designed to depend as little as possible on fossil

fuels and motorised transport and provide an infrastructure that encourages

sustainable means such as cycling and walking.

* all new developments should demonstrate that they will result in an overall

REDUCTION in travel

* incentives for home working and other technology such as video

conferencing

* support for car-share schemes

* promotion of rural transport centres that offer transport information and

advice on sustainable methods

* an expansion of Safe Routes to Schools, Stations and other trip

generators