The effect of Covid-19 on transport has been vast, but as the UK
begins the process of recovery, the need for sustainable transport
has only strengthened. In its new report, Covid-19 Recovery:
Renewing the Transport System, Campaign for Better Transport
outlines how the transport system can be transformed as part of a
recovery programme to create jobs, tackle social exclusion, improve
the environment and people’s health, and aid economic recovery.
The report calls for a world-leading public transport network
with improved connectivity; 100 per cent zero-emission road
transport and railway; permanent improvements to sustain greater
levels of walking and cycling; and changes to the way transport
is paid for, including new means to raise revenue.
Darren Shirley, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport,
said: “The effect of Covid-19 on transport has been seismic and
support from the Government has been invaluable in sustaining the
sector through the crisis so far. But as the UK begins the
process of recovery, the Government must now focus its ambition
on accelerating the shift to sustainable transport and the
delivery of infrastructure improvements that facilitate this to
ensure that transport better serves communities across the
country.
“By focusing its financial support and policy improvements on
public transport, walking and cycling, the Government can
transform our transport system to facilitate economic growth,
meet legal obligations around carbon emissions and air quality,
and tackle social exclusion.”
In order for the transport system to recover following Covid-19
and support the economic recovery, the report recommends the
Government should:
- Require local transport authorities to produce plans linked
to future government funding to permanently reshape local
transport networks around active travel, shared and public
transport
- Ensure local authorities and bus operators work together to
replan bus provision, with better integrated, multi-modal
networks
- Not return to the previous franchises on the railway and
place a greater focus on leisure as well as commuter travel and
new industry structures with devolution of control to city
regions
- Accelerate the shift to 100 per cent zero-emission road and
rail travel, with support for UK-based manufacturing
- Lock in the shift to active travel with permanent
infrastructure changes
- Prioritise infrastructure to support sustainable transport,
such as rail reopenings, bus priority and digital systems.
- Establish new sources of raising revenue such as workplace
parking levies and road use charges to support the shift to
sustainable transport.
