What is the future of British transport? With roads congested, rail travel expensive and unreliable and not all areas adequately serviced with local public transport, what does the future of British transport hold? Below are some of the main issues as highlighted by the Department for Transport and the ways in which the government plans to tackle these challenges.
ROADS.
- Congestion on our roads and environmental concerns about car emissions are on-going challenges for the UK.
- The government is investing in roads to make improvements read ‘Investment in Highways Transport Schemes’ for more information).
- The government also claims to be investing in public transport which should reduce congestion and have environmental benefits.
- By 2013 biofuel must make up 5% of total road transport fuel supplied under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.
- More information on roads can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/roads/.
RAIL.
- Rail travel is often considered to be expensive and unreliable in the UK. There are environmental benefits to public transport when compared to road travel, however.
- In 2007 the government published a white paper entitled ‘Delivering a Sustainable Railway’ which aims to increase capacity on railways, improve safety and reliability, and reduce carbon emissions.
- A consultation is running until summer 2011 regarding high speed rail. Find out more at www.highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk.
- More information on rail can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/rail/.
AVIATION.
Source: www.dft.gov.uk 2011
