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![]() Railhub Archive | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Department of the Environment, Transport and the RegionsNew deal for transport – better for everyone
reform of transport policy in a generation. The New Deal for Transport heralds a new era for the travelling public which will make transport better for everyone. He said it would provide: choice for transport users; integration of transport services; accountability to users and the nation; and a revived, modern institutional framework. It would deliver a transport system which was safe, efficient, clean and fair. John Prescott said: "The country wants a better transport system which does not continue to damage our environment and people's health. Doing nothing is not an option. People want radical change and I am going to deliver it." The Integrated Transport White Paper sets out a far-reaching plan of action which includes: o New income streams for local authorities to tackle pollution and congestion by levying charges for driving into town centres and for workplace parking. This will raise money for Local Authorities, creating a dedicated income stream which will be used to boost public transport; o Local Transport Plans, which will require local authorities to consult with local people, businesses and transport operators to deliver five-year strategies to meet local needs. These will cover all forms of transport and include local targets for improving air quality, road safety, public transport and road traffic reduction; o Greater investment in bus services, through up-graded Quality Partnerships between Local Authorities and operators, delivering faster, more reliable services with modern, comfortable, vehicles; o National minimum concessionary bus fares for pensioners, which will mean at least half-price tickets for those who qualify; o A Strategic Rail Authority, which will take on the task of managing passenger railway franchising, driving up service quality and with the power to ensure that operators honour their commitments on investment and modernisation. The SRA will also have a remit to deliver a rail freight renaissance; o A rail infrastructure investment fund and a rail passenger partnership scheme; o A national public transport information system by the year 2000, which will use new technology to improve reliability of services and provide integrated timetable information, making it easier to plan and make public transport journeys; o Reform of the Highways Agency to give it a key role in managing the trunk road network, possibly with new income streams from tolling; o A New Deal for the Motorist, which will mean better maintained roads, better traffic information and management, and a clamp-down on cowboy clampers and unscrupulous second-hand car salesmen; o A new Commission for Integrated Transport to provide impartial advice to Government and to monitor progress on the implementation of policy; o Integrating transport with land use planning to plan out car dependence and plan in environmentally-sustainable alternatives; o Driving up safety by setting tough new targets and reviewing safety across all transport modes; o Developing Regional ports and airports so that they play their full part in meeting local demand and as drivers of local economies and growth. Mr Prescott said: "After 20 years in the wilderness, this is the day transport policy bursts out into the light of a new dawn. "My New Deal for Transport represents a powerful balance of radical policies designed to deliver the right framework for a transport system which can meet the challenges of the modern age. It is the product of one of the most comprehensive consultations ever undertaken by Government, and I am confident it will meet with widespread approval of all those who really care about our economy, our health, our mobility and the sort of environmental legacy we leave for those who follow us. "Mondeo man can breathe a sigh of relief and breathe a little easier because this will give him cleaner air, less congestion and better transport choice. The car will remain an important symbol of a prosperous, inclusive, mobile society. It is an essential tool for some people's work. It can also be part of a seamless journey with an integrated public transport system. But there needs to be a better balance so that people are encouraged to use the car less and public transport more. "It is also about providing people with real choices about how they travel - for work or for leisure - by setting out exciting new ways of funding safe, reliable, clean, comfortable public transport. "And let's not deceive ourselves. We need to make those choices for we cannot go on as we are. "No-one really believes that we can allow traffic growth to go unchecked when projections show that the growth of the motor vehicle is going to be about 30 per cent in twenty years. That means to meet that demand I'd have to build a motorway equivalent from London and Leeds with 150 lanes on it. That is bad for our economy; bad for our health; and disastrous for our environment and that's why I believe people are ready to accept our radical approach. "There is a clear mood for change and I am in a mood to deliver it. " "My White Paper sets out the framework for that change and we will provide new powers and the support needed to make it happen. "But the way ahead is a shared responsibility and we all have a part to play in achieving our goal. That's why we want to create new partnerships at all levels, helping local government, business and local communities to come together to deliver a truly integrated transport system which meets the challenge of the 21st century and an environment we can be proud to hand on to future generations." The New Deal for Transport means Integration: within and between different types of transport to make connections work; between transport and environment policy for a better environment; with land use planning to reduce the need to travel; and between transport and our policies on education, health and wealth creation so that transport helps make a fairer, more inclusive society. The New Deal for Transport is published following the most extensive consultation of its kind. Over 7,300 individuals and organisations wrote in with their views on transport problems, solutions and ideas for future transport policy. The consultation was launched last August and - in addition to the written responses - there were also a number of regional and national seminars where a cross section of local people and interest groups were able to put their concerns to Ministers directly. Notes for Editors 1. A New Deal for Transport - Better for Everyone: the Government's White Paper on Integrated Transport is available from the Stationery Office priced #16.50. ISBN 010139502-7 2. The New Deal for Transport is available on the DETR Internet site. 3. Copies of John Prescott's statement to the House are available from DETR Press Office. Contact Lesley McLeod on 0171 890 4655. 4. A series of "daughter documents" dealing with various aspects of the new transport policy, will be published over the next few months. These include: Trunk roads policy - outcome of reviews in England & Wales; Railways policy; Bus Policy; Charging Policy - a consultation on implementing road user charging & workplace parking charges; Shipping policy - a response to the Working Group on Shipping; Freight Policy; Road Safety Policy - strategy and targets for the beyond 2000; Guidance on local transport plans; Inland waterways. We will also be publishing: a response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's report Transport & the Environment'; a consultation on Climate Change; a report on the review of the National Air Quality Strategy; a revised strategy for Sustainable Development; consultation on draft and updated guidance for producing better development plans (revised PPG12), a new approach to regional planning (new PPG11), land use and transport (revised PPG13); an action plan to encourage walking; and progress reports from the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force Website: http://www.detr.gov.uk/ # = pounds sterling
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