Action Briefing December 2006 - January 2007
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Transport – Are we all doomed?

Public money has produced a report on the West Midlands Metropolitan Area transport congestion.  If you are quick, you can read it and respond.  The closing date is 25 December 2006.  It is a short report that starts off with some statistics such as ‘on a typical weekday, the West Midlands transport network carries a total of 5.2 million trips.  Of these, 15% are on foot or by bicycle, 15% are by public transport, 70% are by car or commercial vehicle.’  It then presents the consequence of further economic growth leading to frustrated journeys that will turn business away and, if the increase in trips is by road vehicle, damage to humans through worsened air quality.

For years, Friends of the Earth has been stressing the importance of measures that lead our journeys along a better path.  So let’s recap:

• Better conditions for walking, including extending the footway network to places such as Bassetts Pole
• Facilities for cycling, including places to change and shower at work places
• Information at bus stops, including timetables that are readable after dark
• School Travel Plans and Business Travel Plans so there is thought about journeys to school/work
• Places on trains for bicycles
• Promotion of rail services and an expansion of the network
• Bus priority measures
• Local facilities such as Post Offices, parks, swimming pools (these reduce travel)

The report asks for responses on seven points – you can read the report on the internet under ‘Transport Innovation Fund’ on www.westmidlandsltp.gov.uk or you could ask for a paper copy from Transport Innovation Fund Team, Faber Maunsell, Beaufort House, 94-96 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 1PB (tel. 0121 262 6769)

John Hall