William Eichler 19 January 2021

Campaigners call on councils to help reduce car use

Campaigners call on councils to help reduce car use image

Environmental campaigners have called on local authorities to cancel spending on road building and to redirect funds to boost public transport and active travel.

The campaign group Friends of the Earth has worked with Transport for Quality of Life, a transport consultancy specialising in sustainable transport, to put together a list of 27 actions local authorities can take to reduce car use.

As well as investing in public transport and active travel, they recommend lowering speed limits and providing free or cheap e-bikes for key workers and jobseekers to use.

Friends of the Earth is also urging councils to stop cutting bus services and subsidising free car parking, and to start setting carbon budgets for transport and traffic reduction targets.

‘The way we get around has a big impact on the planet,’ said Mike Childs, head of science at Friends of the Earth.

‘Transport has been a stubborn sector for cutting climate-wrecking emissions for years now, so 2021 needs to be the year that changes.

‘Local authorities have a massive role to play in supporting their residents to move from cars to bikes and buses.’

The campaign group argues that councils should amend local plans and develop only where ‘excellent public transport’ is included. They also recommend that emergency active travel infrastructure should be made permanent.

Mr Childs acknowledges that these recommendations could be challenging for councils to implement without support from central Government.

‘A lot of these changes are within their power to make and places such as Hackney and Nottingham are already doing amazing work on transport. But this doesn’t mean central Government can just sit back and relax,’ he said.

‘Local authorities are underfunded and under supported, with years of austerity taking its toll. Westminster must give proper funding and support so local areas can act on the climate crisis.’

Dr Ian Taylor, director, Transport for Quality of Life, commented: ‘This paper sets out a complete package for transport policy that is entirely feasible, based on existing world best practice, yet also on a scale and depth that matches up to the severity and urgency of the climate emergency.

‘It is also a package that will enable us to “build back better” and revive our economy after COVID. We hope this briefing will empower all those who care about the climate emergency and are in a position to take action in their locality – whether as Friends of the Earth activists, local councillors, or local government officers.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner