The Future of Transport

29 March 2018

Cllr John Clarke (Frome West) writes:

There is increasing concern and unhappiness about the lack of resident parking in Frome. While this is a real concern for many people, there is a need for our thinking on transport to look wider than the difficulties around parking. A significant and substantive change is called for in our thinking and behaviour. My car is essential for my work, but I also would like the option of having real alternatives to car use.

The government's approach responds to the increasing number of cars on our roads rather than looking at how we can shift from car dependency to other options like rail, cycling, buses or walking. Rather than road expansion we should be investing in public transport. HS2 is not the answer! It will devastate our countryside with little gain. Let us
use the billions HS2 is costing to upgrade and electrify our existing railway network. Let's improve essential bus services, rather than cutting them, as is happening now as part of government funding cuts to local councils. Isolated rural communities may need cars but is this because there are no realistic, accessible alternatives? It should be easy to choose to leave the car at home or better still to not have a car.

There has to be a strategy, locally and nationally, which promotes public transport and restores funding for bus services. We need a public transport system that takes us where we want to go, affordable, reliable and accessible for all. The focus should be on low traffic neighbourhoods, cycle networks and safe walking routes. Thecurrent strategy also discriminates against those who, because of economic status or disability, cannot use a car.

We have to promote a different and better future. A future which is not all about the car. A future which protects our environment, improves air quality, improves our health and well-being, and reduces fossil fuel use.

Breaking Out Of Cars, a public meeting on the future of transport will take place on Thurs 12th April, 7.30pm, upstairs at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with contributions from Nat Taplin of Good Journey, a scheme to promote car-free leisure travel, and Anna Francis, Resilience Manager at Frome Town Council.

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