Why is transport an environmental issue?
Transport is a critical environmental issue which effects us all.
Pollution associated with transport is the fastest growing element
of global warming, acid rain, smogs and many respiratory diseases.
Forecasts indicate that there will be 40% more vehicles on the
roads by 2025 if we don't take action urgently. New roads have been
shown to relieve congestion only temporarily and always generate
new traffic. So what can we do?
The general view is that we need to reduce the need to travel - by
thinking carefully about where facilities are located - and by
encouraging other means for getting to them.
The Transport and Access Forum, formed as part of the Local Agenda
21 process, has agreed a series of key concerns for the District
and a number of community groups have been set up to address the
issues. These groups are:
Cycling group
Road Issues Group (covering parking, HGV traffic,
road safety etc)
As part of the former Local Agenda 21 Scheme, the District Council
facilitates a number of transport groups which are made up from
local organisations and members of the public. Road issues Group
meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss issues relating to road
transport and pedestrian issues. Minutes of these meetings can be
found below.