power back at the local level, and we have radically simplified transport funding for local authorities from twenty-six streams to four. This will give authorities greater flexibility in how they spend their funding, which is crucial if they are to deliver efficient and effective transport for their communities at a time of limited resources.


At the same time, central Government will no longer intervene in the way that councils review progress on local transport. Authorities will be required to publish accessible data on their transport activities to allow their communities and stakeholders to compare their performance against others and hold elected representatives to account.


Alongside these locally-driven initiatives, there are a few schemes that will benefit from a single national approach. One of these is the £11 million we are providing for Bikeability cycle training next year. This funding will give 275,000 ten and eleven year olds “on road” training.


Then there’s the work we are doing with operators and public sector bodies to deliver the infrastructure to enable most local public transport journeys to be undertaken using smart ticketing by December 2014. And we are improving end to end journeys by encouraging transport operators – and those involved in promoting cycling and car clubs – to work together to integrate tickets and timetables, and provide better information for travellers.


We have earmarked over £400 million to promote the uptake of ultra low carbon vehicle technologies, and the Green Bus Fund will pay for about 500 new hybrid and electric buses, playing a vital role in unlocking potential and stimulating a growing market. Moreover, as the first Transport Minister to have specific responsibility for promoting Alternatives to Travel, I am encouraging businesses, the public sector and individuals to consider their travel choices – and to establish when the use of ICT and new communications technologies might replace the need for journeys. We are working on an agenda for change and will be engaging with business, representative groups and the public sector to identify the potential for reducing business travel and commuting.


All these initiatives will help us deliver the “green growth” that is at the heart of this Government’s economic agenda. Sustainable transport and, in particular, sustainable local transport will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our objectives during the Parliament and into the future - a strong economy, a fair society and an environment that’s respected and protected.


|46| ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

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