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Financial Times Monday November 25th 2001
By Cathy Newman and Juliette Jowit
The UK has the worst congestion in Europe because the transport network has
been "starved of investment" for half a century, according to a report
commissioned by the government.
The Commission for Integrated Transport found there was a "clear but stark
demonstration of two generations of neglect in this country".
It says more than 11 per cent of key roads suffer from congestion of more than
three hours; London buses are slower than those in Rome, Berlin, Madrid and
Athens while the UK has the lowest level of public subsidy for fares in Europe.
Car use had risen faster than in other European countries except developing
economies such as Portugal, Greece and Italy, said the commission.
Its report, due to be published today, comes as it has emerged that towns and
cities have given ministers the cold shoulder over plans to charge motorists to
drive into crowded city centres.
Ministers had hoped congestion charging would ease traffic jams in towns
across the country, but Bristol and Durham are the only English cities outside
London to have presented detailed proposals to the government.
The Confederation of British Industry estimates that delays caused by
congestion cost £20bn a year. Ken Livingstone, London's mayor, intends to charge motorists £5 to enter the
city centre from 2003. Bristol wants to follow suit, but not until 2006 or 2007.
Durham will be the first city to introduce congestion charging - early next year
- but the scheme is expected to be limited in scale and technologically
unsophisticated. It will operate only on the one road into the historic centre.
Some 35 councils originally expressed an interest in either congestion charging
or workplace charging. But few have followed through with fully worked-out
proposals.
Ministers have tiptoed round the issue for fear of alienating the powerful car
lobby. Stephen Byers, transport secretary, who does not drive, is said to be
"neutral" about congestion charging.
Ministers fear the scheme might backfire as train and bus services take time to
improve, leaving motorists with a poor alternative form of transport.
All proceeds from congestion charging have to be spent on local transport
initiatives.
Derek Quinn, the deputy director of transportation at Leeds city council, which
at first registered an interest, said: "We're still interested in the principle and
we are still doing studies as to how it might work. But there's no immediate
intention to implement such a scheme."
Speed limit plan to help street life
The government is considering a proposal to cut road speeds to 10mph in
residential areas to encourage more community life in the streets.
The plan is likely to prove controversial with the motoring lobby, much of which is already
opposed to 20mph restrictions and lower speed limits on motorways.
Babtie, the international consultancy group, put forward the recommendation after a
five-year study of 20mph go-slow areas found they reduced accidents but did
not lead to more walking, cycling or socialising. The report, commissioned by
the Department of Transport, says success would be more likely if speeds were
reduced to 10mph and/or streets were redesigned.
Copyright © Financial Times 2001 |
