We must get it right for our grandchildren

THIS week the government announced the beginning of the end of fossil fuelled vehicles on our roads. I would like to think that this move will spur the movers and shakers in the city and the region to launch a programme to prepare for the new reality of zero emissions.

Our beautiful World Heritage city must grab this opportunity to improve the environment for residents and visitors.

Let’s target 2030, just nine years from now, to achieve this. How do we do it? Well we need to go back to see the future. When I was young almost everyone had milk delivered to the door by an electric vehicle. When I went into the local big town with my family there were electric trolley buses. I walked the two miles to primary school – everyone did. My father was a professional man but we did not have a family car until I was 10 years old. Nobody needs a two tonne SUV to deliver little Hugo and Alice to school!

My vision for Bath 2030 is a tram network connecting the universities, Park and Rides and schools and on through the city centre. Look at the BathTrams website for what can be achieved.

Then, to encourage local residents and visitors to drive their electric vehicles (EV) to Bath expand Park and Ride and include bookable EV charging. Increasingly reduce private car access to the city centre to force people on to public transport.

In my experience around the world you do not have to force people on to trams as they are the most appealing and the most preferred mode of local transport.

Start this now and we can look forward to zero emissions in central Bath by 2030. My grandchildren will likely live into the 22nd century and I can only hope when they are the age I am now they will say that we got it right back in 2030.

Colin Starkey Bath