As previously announced in a statement to Parliament on 8 July, the Department for Transport (DfT) has today begun a consultation on how airport development at Heathrow might affect different demographic groups living near to the airport. The Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) forms part of the Impact Assessment underpinning the ‘Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport’ consultation document and seeks to establish the impact of airport development on different groups in terms of race, disability, age and social deprivation. Aviation Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Aviation contributes over £11bn to the economy and Heathrow alone supports over 100,000 jobs. While Heathrow is vital to the UK’s economy, we have always made clear that expansion will only go ahead if strict local environmental conditions on air quality and noise can be met and improvements made to public transport access to the airport.The EqIA will ensure we fully understand how airport development might affect different groups around Heathrow by reason of their race, disability, age or level of income.”

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15 September 2008
© Department for Transport

Today (Monday, September 15, 2008), the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is publishing five studies putting the spotlight on transport challenges facing rural areas, ranging from accessibility to key services, the effects of technological change and implications of road pricing. Rural people travel around 10,000 miles each year compared with around 7,000 for all residents, and use of cars is significantly higher in rural areas. Graham Russell Director of Practice at the CRC said: “Transport is a key concern for rural communities. With a continuing decline in local services, rural residents need to travel greater distances, and because of significant gaps in public transport much more of their travel is by car. What’s more, rising fuel prices are hitting rural areas hardest, especially less well-off households where a higher proportion of income goes on essentials including transport costs. Greater car use in rural areas also contributes to higher overall carbon production rate per person than in urban areas.

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15 September 2008
© Commission for Rural Communities (National)

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton today called on motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, highway authorities and road organisations who are keen to have a say in how our streets will look in the future, to take part in the biggest review of British road signs for 40 years.
The review will ensure that traffic signs keep pace with the latest technology, help to cut congestion and emissions and keep traffic moving safely and efficiently without cluttering our streets. The review’s aims include: To consider new powers to reduce street clutter - and ensure out of date signs are removed; Look at using new traffic sign technologies that can provide new ways of managing traffic flow; Provide better road information - such as up-to-date travel news - to give motorists informed choices about their journeys; Demonstrate how effective signing can provide safer roads and reduce accidents; Improve road users’ understanding of traffic signs and signals.

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13 September 2008
© Department for Transport (National)

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy, today opened the new £2.8million Lisburn Bus Centre. During his visit he also launched Translink’s new Passenger Charter. The Minister said: “This investment in a new bus centre is a major asset for public transport in Lisburn and local passengers will benefit from a modern fully accessible station which provides better and more comfortable facilities for all. I am committed to improving public transport and my key objective in investing in bus services is to encourage more commuters and other travellers out of the car. Substantial investment in bus services between 2003-2007 has resulted in nearly 940 new Translink buses, making it one of the most modern, comfortable and reliable fleets in Europe. In addition between 2008-2011 a further £36million will be invested in buses to ensure these high standards are maintained.”

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08 September 2008
© Northern Ireland Executive

A five-week public consultation on the future of the Western Extension of the Congestion Charging zone begins today. Anyone with an opinion on the Western Extension is invited to take part. The consultation was an election pledge made by the Mayor and he is particularly keen for local residents, retailers and businesses within or on the borders of the extension to take part. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Whenever I head to the west of our city I meet people with strong opinions on the Western Extension. But when my predecessor held a consultation on this important issue he completely ignored its results. Unlike him I have the utmost respect for the opinions of Londoners and I hope that thousands of them will take part in the consultation.”

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01 September
© Greater London Authority

Liverpool water front will receive a £1.9 million boost from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The facelift, which has already begun, includes the second phases of developing Canning Maritime Park, building mooring at Salthouse Dock, fine-tuning Albert Dock, installing public art at Kings Waterfront and pedestrianisation. The work will open the city to visitors on foot, in cars and by boat - along the new Leeds to Liverpool canal link. Over the last five years the face of Liverpool’s docklands has changed with the development of Princes Dock and Kings Waterfront. Liverpool Vision’s chief executive Jim Gill said there had already been improvements in the city’s economy.

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01 September 2008
© England’s northwest

More and more travellers are choosing environmentally-friendly methods of transport to cut their carbon footprints, a charity has remarked. According to the Campaign for Better Transport, low emissions are rising up people’s lists of requirements when they are deciding how to travel. This is being helped by the expansion of the Eurostar network which is enabling travellers to go from city to city easily and cheaply, John Torrance from the Campaign for Better Transport explained.

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1 September 2008
© CAF

Tranquillity is vital if we want to live healthy lives. This is the verdict of a key report on road noise in the countryside published today (Friday). The Campaign to Protect Rural England which developed the concept of tranquillity welcomed this finding. The report, prepared for the Noise Association by the Transport for Quality of Life Group identifies the expansion of roads, motor traffic levels and speeds as the main reasons for a huge expansion of noise pollution and consequent loss of tranquillity in rural communities and the countryside.content

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29 August 2008
© CPRE

Figures released today show that rail passenger numbers are at their highest level for more than 40 years but that car use on Scotland’s roads has also increased. Bus passenger figures were up too according to Main Transport Trends, a compendium of previously released statistics for the year 2007, but Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson it was the increase in road traffic that showed the scale of the challenge facing the country.Opening a new park and ride facility today in Stirling, the Minister said: “The rises in rail and bus passenger numbers are very encouraging and show that more and more people across the country are taking advantage of public transport for business and for leisure. Public transport can offer a more cost effective option than the car, is better for the environment, and can be a lot less stressful, removing the frustration associated with the daily commute by car.”

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25 August 2008
© Scottish Government

Community Rail has a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable transport, reducing car use and providing vital links for rural areas. Supported by ACoRP, The Future of Community Rail conference on 14th October will examine best practice for getting the most out of Community Rail development in terms of community engagement, partnership working, scheme promotion and looking at alternative methods of funding.

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26 August 2008
© CRC