As expected, the spending review is a very mixed bag for sustainable transport. While some funding for buses has been saved, and already-announced investment in the railways safeguarded, the government made a big play of new roads, setting itself on a collision course with environmental campaigners.
Handing over management of major infrastructure to the private sector means decisions over its use are no longer made in the national interest but in the interests of shareholders, which can be very different.
Rail fares and ticketing are unnecessarily expensive and complicated – it’s a mess that successive governments have ducked responsibility for sorting out. The Scottish government has now taken action, cutting fares and pledging to remove pricing anomalies. But will the same deal be extended to train users south of the border?
Sian Berry, of the Campaign For Better Transport, looks at the potential impact of the coalition’s outlook on transport ahead of the autumn statement.
Sophie Allain reveals the shocking disparity between British fares and those in the continent.
Stephen Joseph of the Campaign for Better Transport writes about the lessons we can learn from the 25-year history of the M25 – and how we can do better in the future.
Sian Berry explains why transport plans focusing on roads are likely to take more money from local authorities’ purses, and calls for more sustainable plans.
The Government should also introduce a fuel tax on domestic flights, raising £460 million a year – enough to make up for revenue lost by cutting rather than increasing train fares.
A film delivered to the Department for Education calls for more support for public transport. Buses should be a positive transport option now and in the future
Richard Hebditch of the Campaign for Better Transport outlines what the government need to know to do high speed rail well.
