Government urged to act on suburban transport

Monday, 19 July 2004 12:00 AM

A new report from the Independent Transport Commission (ITC) has accused successive transport ministers of neglecting transport issues in the suburbs.

The ITC found that 29 million people live in or around the suburbs, six in ten of the UK's population.

It rejects the idea that suburbs are dormitories for city centre offices, saying "most of their residents live, work and play in the suburbs and visit city centres only from time to time."

However it argues that their transport problems have been neglected. Its chairman, Sir Patrick Brown, said: "Governments have concentrated on improving access to city centres and on long-distance inter-city road and rail routes

"Land use and transport policies tailored to the suburbs are needed urgently."

The commission found that those living in the suburbs are dependent upon motor transport, with only four to eight per cent of journeys being made by bus or train.

In addition, 60 per cent of England's traffic growth is forecast for the suburbs, and the ITC warns that "without congestion pricing in the suburbs, the prospects look bleak."

Congestion charging has so far only been introduced in London, but a number of other cities, including Edinburgh, are considering the idea.

The ITC predicts that unless action is taken commuting times in the suburbs will increase by around 40 per cent by 2021.

With the increasing risk of climate change, it notes that incentives are needed to persuade people to use their cars less and buy more economical vehicles.

The commission recommends that: "Better bus services are the key to improved inter-suburban public transport but, with car use being so dominant, it is more important to modify driver behaviour and slow traffic growth. Policy options include company and school travel plans and suburban road user charging."

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