Sustrans calls on next government to prioritise reducing transport emissions

The walking and cycling charity Sustrans has launched its manifesto for the General Election 2019, calling on all political parties to take bold action on road transport emissions.

In their manifesto, they highlight that transport accounts for 26% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the main sources being petrol and diesel cars.

Amongst their five main recommendations, the charity also asks candidates to commit to a 20-minute neighbourhood planning principle for all cities and towns so that everyone can walk and cycle for their everyday services and needs.

The charity has called on the UK government to take on the below five main tasks:

1. Provide sustained long-term investment in walking and cycling. This includes at least 5% of the transport budget being spent on walking and cycling by 2020/21 and then rising to 10% before 2024/25.
2. A £72m investment per year in the National Cycle Network.
3. To transform the school journey to help children walk, cycle and scoot in safety.
4. Ensure places are accessible for everyone to walk, cycle and wheel by implementing a 20mph speed limit in all built-up areas and ban pavement parking.
5. Establish a UK-wide Greenways programme so that everyone has equal access to the natural environment.

CEO for Sustrans, Xavier Brice said: ‘We are facing a climate change crisis in which emissions from transport is the primary source, and air pollution damages our health.’

‘We keep building homes in places devoid of services making people car-dependent.’

‘This is making the issues we face far worse, especially for more deprived communities.’

‘This manifesto sets out clear tasks for the next government to show leadership on curbing road transport emissions and make walking and cycling the easiest and most convenient options for more people as a matter of urgency.’

‘Neighbourhoods, where people live within a 20-minute walk of everyday services, will be critical to creating a healthy, zero-carbon future for everyone.’

Sustrans conclude that although the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy was launched in 2017, levels of investment haven’t been sufficient to meet its targets to double cycling trips and we need further increases in walking.

Photo Credit – Pixabay