Government pledges to 'encourage more sustainable travel'

Date: 22/9/2010

Plans for a new transport fund that will encourage environmentally-friendly practices have been announced by the government.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker revealed proposals for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which aims to encourage councils to develop policies that reduce carbon emissions and improve safety.

The coalition will also merge the centrally-funded local transport grants to create fewer but larger subsidies.

Mr Baker said: "It is at a local level that most can be done to change patterns of behaviour and encourage more sustainable travel, especially for short journeys."

He added the plans are evidence of the government's commitment to improving the efficiency of regional transport funding.

Possible initiatives to be furthered by the plan include walking and cycling schemes, traffic management projects and proposals to improve integration between different modes of travel.

Sustainable transport was given a further boost earlier this week when psychologist Dr David Lewis said people who travel by bus experience significantly less stress than those who drive to work.

Posted by Nick Anderson