Roads vs public transport?
We note the recent media coverage of a Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce report arguing that something needs to be done to address traffic congestion in the West Midlands (BBC Midlands Today 3/12/07; Birmingham Post 3/12/07; Express and Star 3/12/2007)
The report was based on a survey of businesses in the West Midlands, many of whom said that congestion was adversely affecting their trade, either by increasing operating costs or by losing them business. While the businesses are reported to be in favour of improved public transport and a better integrated transport system (the Confederation calls for government investment in a ‘30-year national integrated transport strategy’), the tone of their message is largely one of their desire to see new and improved roads in the near future, such as widening the M6. Also, more than 60 per cent in the survey do not see the present public transport system as a viable alternative to roads. It might be possible to argue about the way the survey was carried out, but it is still important to listen to the messages the report contains.
Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth were reported to be in favour of better public transport but against calls for more road building, on the grounds of impact on the environment.
Both the business and the environmental lobbies have perspectives that resonate with our everyday experiences and concerns. We witness congestion on our roads and public transport, and experience the frustrations. We worry about the economic future of the West Midlands, about our own employment and the need to support the development of business in the region. Yet we are all becoming more aware of the impact of economic development on the environment and the impact of man made emissions on global warming.
It is good that some common ground is possible between these issues and the organisations articulating them – namely the need for better public transport. Yet this is a long term strategic goal and it is likely that business wants better roads sooner than this.
So what is to be done? We need to move beyond the economic/environmental standoff and find answers addressing both concerns. The longer term development of roads in an integrated transport network will address environmental matters, if managed properly and with good will on all sides. Businesses have to show a greater willingness to switch to public transport where possible, while environmental pressure groups need to recognize the realities that both businesses and individuals face when dealing with transport problems. Currently West Midlands’ business relies more heavily on the road network than the national average.
In the shorter term we support more road building to address the immediate concerns of businesses and other road users, but within an auditable framework of commitments from business to reduce their carbon footprint over the short and medium term. A regionally agreed futures carbon trading mechanism between business and regional agencies is surely not beyond our collective wisdom.
The carbon reduction might be in terms of changes in transport use - more efficient vehicles, fewer road journeys for businesses (including more employee-days working from home), or more use of public transport. The mechanism ought to include other reductions too, such as more efficient working practices, self-generation of energy or better insulation of work premises.
There are, of course, established regional agencies to overview this. The Confederation of West Midlands Chambers would be an ideal organisation to speak for business in the development of the methodology, helping to agree targets and audit the system. Regional transport, government and development agencies are also well placed to help develop an innovative approach to economic and environmental development. It would be a landmark in turning the concept of ‘sustainable development’ into practical, demonstrable reality and we hope that by working together we can make it a reality.
The report was based on a survey of businesses in the West Midlands, many of whom said that congestion was adversely affecting their trade, either by increasing operating costs or by losing them business. While the businesses are reported to be in favour of improved public transport and a better integrated transport system (the Confederation calls for government investment in a ‘30-year national integrated transport strategy’), the tone of their message is largely one of their desire to see new and improved roads in the near future, such as widening the M6. Also, more than 60 per cent in the survey do not see the present public transport system as a viable alternative to roads. It might be possible to argue about the way the survey was carried out, but it is still important to listen to the messages the report contains.
Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth were reported to be in favour of better public transport but against calls for more road building, on the grounds of impact on the environment.
Both the business and the environmental lobbies have perspectives that resonate with our everyday experiences and concerns. We witness congestion on our roads and public transport, and experience the frustrations. We worry about the economic future of the West Midlands, about our own employment and the need to support the development of business in the region. Yet we are all becoming more aware of the impact of economic development on the environment and the impact of man made emissions on global warming.
It is good that some common ground is possible between these issues and the organisations articulating them – namely the need for better public transport. Yet this is a long term strategic goal and it is likely that business wants better roads sooner than this.
So what is to be done? We need to move beyond the economic/environmental standoff and find answers addressing both concerns. The longer term development of roads in an integrated transport network will address environmental matters, if managed properly and with good will on all sides. Businesses have to show a greater willingness to switch to public transport where possible, while environmental pressure groups need to recognize the realities that both businesses and individuals face when dealing with transport problems. Currently West Midlands’ business relies more heavily on the road network than the national average.
In the shorter term we support more road building to address the immediate concerns of businesses and other road users, but within an auditable framework of commitments from business to reduce their carbon footprint over the short and medium term. A regionally agreed futures carbon trading mechanism between business and regional agencies is surely not beyond our collective wisdom.
The carbon reduction might be in terms of changes in transport use - more efficient vehicles, fewer road journeys for businesses (including more employee-days working from home), or more use of public transport. The mechanism ought to include other reductions too, such as more efficient working practices, self-generation of energy or better insulation of work premises.
There are, of course, established regional agencies to overview this. The Confederation of West Midlands Chambers would be an ideal organisation to speak for business in the development of the methodology, helping to agree targets and audit the system. Regional transport, government and development agencies are also well placed to help develop an innovative approach to economic and environmental development. It would be a landmark in turning the concept of ‘sustainable development’ into practical, demonstrable reality and we hope that by working together we can make it a reality.
