Last week the government released their Local Transport White Paper entitled ‘Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon – Making Sustainable Local Transport Happen’ in which it announces its vision is for a transport system that helps create growth in the economy, and tackles climate change by cutting our carbon emissions.
The paper states:
- Two-thirds of all journeys are under five miles – many of these trips could be easily cycled, walked or undertaken by public transport. We want to make travelling on foot, by bike or on public transport more attractive.
- We recognise that it is simply not possible for public transport, walking or cycling to represent a viable alternative to the private car for all journeys, particularly in rural areas and for some longer or multi-leg journeys. Therefore the Government is committed to making car travel greener by supporting the development of the early market in electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles.
The paper also prioritises spending on key rail projects such as high-speed rail and rail electrification, to provide travellers with options to the plane and the car.
It states it will simplify local transport funding into 4 main streams. One of which is the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. This will make £560 million capital and revenue funding available over four years and encourage bids that deliver solutions to encourage the uptake of more sustainable modes of transport at local level. Bids will be particularly welcome from local transport authorities who demonstrate support from, and the involvement of, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, and that have the support of local businesses.
So, do you think this will help us to improve transport in Britain? Could this help develop your ideas? As well as a chance to win a slice of £150 000 in innovation funding from Ideas in Transit there is up to £10 000 for the best use of OS OpenData, so get geovating and enter your ideas now!
