PROCUREMENT
in the sense that it carries much more traffic. Out of all the passenger trips made in Britain, the railways only carry 7 per cent and buses, which also use the roads of course, carry another 7 per cent.
“The situation is similar with freight, with the railways only carrying around 10 per cent. This means that for the vast majority of people the road network is essential to their daily lives and this is reflected in the fact that demand for the roads is growing rapidly. Any official document you look at will demonstrate this.
“This demand will grow even faster due to population growth, specifically in areas of high economic activity. If you look at any official maps of predicted population growth, such as the Highways Agency’s own stress maps, you will see that the local road networks in these areas will be put under a lot more pressure, some to a worrying degree.
Jul/Aug 10
“But despite all of this demographic evidence, the government does now seem to want to acknowledge the problem, whilst being very quick to talk about high speed rail networks which have their merits but which do not provide an answer as to how to deal with the growing demands on the road network.”
This is clearly an issue which the government will have to address. So what would Professor Glaister like to see happening?
“As part of the Planning Bill 2008, the government set out proposals for what it called strategic policy statements which would facilitate a less complicated process around the planning applications for essential infrastructure such as the strategic road network. I would like to see action taken to move that from proposal form to a reality.
“I would also like the new government to take responsibility for the strategic
needs of nation and to be firm when action needs to be taken to improve our strategic road network.”
Despite the media’s preoccupation with
environmental issues, popular opinion remains firmly behind the car.
“Just before the general election we commissioned an Ipsos MORI survey to gauge the mood of voters when it comes to transport. The result was resounding. The general public regard the state of the road network as the number one transport priority with the cost of driving second. High speed rail came at the bottom of the list.
“Even if high speed rail happens, it will still not deal with these problems because the vast majority of car trips are not long distance. I would like to make it clear that I am not against high speed rail. I just think that it
is not a substitute for the road network.
“Green issues are important and carbon emissions are a huge problem which need to be tackled. However, doing nothing about a road network which is due to become even more congested is not going to help the environment. Rather, it will just make matters worse.”
Along with the environmental case, the economics of the situation show that an un- congested road network would yield great things for our economy. In 2006, the Eddington review found that a 5 per cent reduction in travel time for all business and freight travel on the roads could generate around £2.5 billion of cost savings.
Given the current economic situation, the government would do well to consider Professor Glaister’s suggestions.
Tell us what you think at
opinion@publicsectorexecutive.com pse 35
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