Future of city transport under spotlight during online debate
Leading Bath political figures and local residents came together to virtually debate the future of transport in the city.
Greenpeace Bath Local Group hosted the online event to discuss the improvements needed to local transport and the potential in investing in zero-carbon public transport, walking and cycling.
Attending the event was Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, B&NES Councillor Joanna Wright and Adam Reynolds from the Walk, Ride Bath organisation. Richard Baxter, a speaker for Greenpeace, also spoke at the event.
There were around 50 people attending the event, and the B&NES ‘Liveable Neighbourhoods’ consultation was at the heart of the evening.
Greenpeace Bath spokesperson Hannah Phillips, from Keynsham, said: “We held this event to call on the UK Government to invest £10 billion more every year to transform public transport, walking and cycling and redirect the £27 billion they’ve committed to new road building.”
The Government is expected to spend many billions on new infrastructure to boost the economy as a result of the Covid crisis, including £27 billion on roads.
Transport is reported to be the UK’S largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, so opponents say building more roads only adds to this problem and will encourage more people to buy cars, and drive more miles.
Recent polling carried out by YouGov asked people in the South West to choose their top two from a range of seven proposed transport improvements.
New roads were the least popular choice, featuring in just 8 per cent of residents’ picks for what they’d like to see. In contrast, 44 per cent want existing roads to be better maintained, 44 per cent also wanted cheaper bus and train fares and 33 per cent wanted less traffic on the roads.
When asked if they supported or opposed low traffic neighbourhoods, 63 per cent of people in the South West were in support of the measures, designed to reduce traffic in certain streets, improve air quality and encourage walking and cycling, one of the highest levels of support in the country. Just 12 per cent opposed these measures.
During the event, both Ms Hobhouse and Cllr Wright expressed their support for the Liveable Neighbourhood strategy. Opportunity for public comments on the consultation closed on October 18th.
The Liveable Neighbourhoods plan aims to improve public health, as well as target the climate crisis and ecological emergency. The strategy includes low traffic neighbourhoods (including school streets), residents’ parking schemes, and electric vehicle charging.
Hannah said: “We’re really pleased that Wera Hobhouse, Joanna Wright and Adam Reynolds came along and spoke about the BANES ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ Consultation as well as other transport issues in Bath.
“We welcome their support in pushing for greener, accessible transport in Bath, and call on the Chancellor to reverse his commitment to road building in favour of zero carbon public transport and active travel.”