Campaign for Better Transport has written to the Prime Minister
Sir to urge him to put integrated,
sustainable, local transport at the heart of the Government's
agenda in 2026.
The transport group is calling on the PM to build on the
significant progress made last year through the Railways Bill,
the Bus Services Act, the Devolution and Community Empowerment
Bill and the forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy,
by prioritising sustainable and integrated local transport as the
most effective way to support economic opportunity, public health
and social inclusion.
The letter argues that with 70 per cent of trips still under five
miles, focusing investment on local transport will quickly
deliver tangible, on-the-ground improvements to public transport,
cycling, walking and wheeling for communities across the
country. Investment in aviation and major new road schemes,
by contrast, risk locking in traffic growth, car dependency
and transport related social exclusion and puts the UK's
climate goals in jeopardy.
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport,
said: “Transport is much more than just a way of getting from A
to B: it is key to happy and healthy communities, to growing and
thriving economies, and to enabling every one of us to live
fulfilling lives, access jobs, opportunities and leisure, and
connect with others.
“Most travel is local, so investment in improving local transport
has a disproportionate social, economic and environmental
benefit. By increasing local transport investment and continuing
devolution, the Government can not only transform lives and
communities but also restore an increasingly fragile faith in the
power of politicians to prioritise the things that really matter.
Read the letter in full on
Campaign for Better Transport website.
