A new report from
Campaign for Better Transport. From their introduction
Our transport networks are often disjointed and inefficient, but better integration and more interchanges can help transform them; that’s the conclusion of the new research we published last week.
We think transport should be easy, affordable to use, accessible to everyone, and comprehensive in the places in allows you to get to, but this needs well-planned infrastructure and services where decisions about investment and planning across road and rail, and public and private are taken together.
Unfortunately, despite some positive initiatives, our transport networks rarely connect well, leaving many people reliant on their cars for the large majority of journeys with the congested roads and increased pollution that comes with it. This also unfairly disadvantages those who do not have a car, and leads to perverse spending decisions to address the resulting congestion.
We need a better way forward. Integrated Transport: a new generation of interchanges looks at both strategic and local opportunities for different types of public transport and services. Taking account of technological, administrative and social developments, it makes the case for a new generation of transport interchanges.
Consider Luton. Nearly a quarter of a million people live in the Luton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis area and there is pressure for more growth. Local roads are struggling to cope, with some rated amongst the most congested in the country. Outward connections are also challenging; Luton is only 18 miles from Milton Keynes - another growth hotspot - just half an hour in a car, or up to an hour and a half by public transport. In an attempt to tackle this, the local transport plan gives high priority to improving the interchange between rail, coach and bus services.
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As well as Luton, their report does case studies at Thurrock and Catthorpe - with brief look to about a dozen other places in the
UK▸ . Full report at
https://bettertransport.org.uk/sites/default/files/research-files/integrated-transport-a-new-generation.pdfClearly, we have local challenges too - Melksham to Calne is a popular road / 21 minutes, but usually over an hour by public transport. Devizes to Stonehenge takes 26 minutes by car and 2 hours or more by public transport - that latter being a key tourist flow from the superb Devizes Museum with one of the best collections from ancient Britain and Stonehenge which - for those who don't know it - is the most popular stone circle from ancient Britain based on visitor count. Those are just a couple of Wiltshire examples - no doubt there are others in the South West. In fact a quick look up (on a whim) gave me Severn Beach to Chepstow 17 minutes by car, minimum an hour plus (more often 2) by public transport. Do people want to make such a journey? Well, yes - major Severnside employment, great places to live just across the Severn.
Click on the map to explore geographics
