Environmental concerns key for today's transport


A new transportation strategy is being employed by the government of Britain in an attempt to cut back on the carbon emissions generated by transportation. Transport currently accounts for a quarter of the carbon generated within the UK.

According to the Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, trials have indicated that a small amount of government spending can have a significant impact in changing people's travel habits. As a result, she is advocating more widespread public education, including personal visits to homes and organisations.

The trial involved spending £10 million over five years and has already resulted in a reduction of 10 per cent in car travel. Another trial with the cycling and walking group Sustrans found that their programme resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in car use, on average. Sustrans says they could expand their programme across the country for the same cost as building 17 miles of motorway.

Kelly says she is happy to see the government taking the environment into account in policy and planning decisions. I'm optimistic we'll see a shift of resources in that direction, said Kelly. I have spent much time listening to cost-benefit ratios. These policies are relatively cheap and incredibly effective.

As environmental concerns about climate change grow, many activists are turning their eyes to airports and aviation. Kelly said there were several proposals being considered in that area including the possibility of favouring more eco-friendly airlines with more slots at airports.

What I reject is the notion that we have to choose whether we back aviation expansion or unilateral curbing of aviation in order to be green, said Kelly. We can see aviation emission's growth, but [that will] be offset one-for-one elsewhere in Europe.



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Jennifer Jones Editorial


28/10/2007


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