The TPS calls for a National Transport Strategy to benefit all road users

In response to the Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’, transport planners are calling for a National Transport Strategy to ensure the fair prioritisation of all road users, not just drivers.

The Transport Planning Society (TPS) has raised concerns that the Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’ frames traffic demand measures that encourage public transport and active travel use as anti-car, and an attack on the rights of drivers.

In its response to the Plan, the TPS highlights how traffic demand measures provide all road users, including car owners and users, greater freedom to choose how they travel by providing more affordable and sustainable options.

The TPS outlines how the ‘Plan for Drivers’ fails to acknowledge that in many parts of the country, the current operation of the transport system means that the “choice” to use a car is not an effective choice – it is the only choice

The TPS is calling for the introduction of a single National Transport Strategy for England, that joins up with the devolved nations’ transport strategies.

Ben Plowden, Chair of the Transport Planning Society, said:

“A National Transport Strategy would create one clear framework for all transport modes and allow for more efficient and effective decision making to happen at pace, across all levels of Government.

“We need to plan and deliver long-term traffic reduction targets through providing a different set of choices to people in relation to how they get access to the goods, services and opportunities that meet their daily needs. 

“Fundamentally we should not be discussing the concerns of drivers in isolation to the concerns of people walking or cycling, and public transport users. By incorporating all modes of transport, a National Transport Strategy would realise the full benefits of a connected, integrated and multi-modal transport network.”

Tom van Vuren, Director of Policy at the Transport Planning Society, said:

“The Plan for Drivers mentions some drivers are feeling under attack, but users of infrequent and unreliable public transport services and people who would like to walk and cycle are feeling pretty beleaguered too. 

“This disproportionately affects the most vulnerable people in our society as they rely heavily on public transport services, and also walk the most.

“Our transport policies must reflect this and a National Transport Strategy should ensure all modes of transport are considered equally.”

You can read the full response to the ‘Plan for Drivers’ here.

ENDS.

Notes to editor

1. The Transport Planning Society is the only professional body focusing entirely on transport planning in the UK. You can find out more about TPS here: https://tps.org.uk/     
2. The Transport Planning Society’s full response can be found here. 
3. Ben Plowden, Chair of the Transport Planning Society, is available for interview on request 
4. For further info contact Jo Field at Jo@jfgcomms.co.uk
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