PRESS RELEASE : Campaigners from Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have signed a joint statement calling for greener priorities in Transport East’s 30-year plan [January 2022]
The press release issued by the Stop the Wensum Link group on 31 January 2022.
The campaigners want to see a transport plan that actually delivers on the green vision set out in the Transport East consultation[1]. They seek a strategy that:
1. prioritises funding for cycling, walking and public transport;
2. puts a freeze on new carbon-emitting, traffic-inducing road-building;
3. addresses current transport needs rather than ‘unlocking’ thousands of new homes through road-building;
4. takes into account the problems and benefits of different transport approaches. These should include health problems and costs to the NHS caused by air pollution and traffic noise, and benefits such as lower healthcare costs for active populations who cycle and walk regularly.
Suffolk quote:
“It is disappointing that Transport East is perpetuating, in projects selected, the Government line that growth, specifically housing growth along major roads, is good. They have repeatedly said they want to reach zero carbon by 2030. Their proposed strategy, as part of Transport East, contains lots of fancy words about sustainable goals but look closely and the proposed actions and spending are mainly about road building to encourage more driving, more use of airports and more house building.” Cllr Robert Lindsay, deputy leader of the Green, LibDem, Independent Group on Suffolk County Council Council.
Essex quote:
“Transport East’s consultation starts with all the right words, but when you delve into the projects that are proposed, it’s clear that its more of the same: road-based growth. What the region desperately requires is a plan that moves away from road-building and focuses on an integrated rural and urban public transport service and safe cycling routes for school children and commuters. That, perhaps funded by workplace charging, as introduced with great success in Nottingham, will be the only way that we can cut carbon emissions and improve air quality for the people of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.” Rosie Pearson, Campaigner, Essex.
Norfolk quote:
“In Norfolk, road-building has dominated transport planning for decades. Now that is taking us ever further from the net zero target and destroying ecosystems and blighting communities with noise and air pollution. While it is good to see some very positive goals in Transport East’s 30-year strategy, the reality is that still far too much emphasis is being placed on building roads to support car-based travel. It is important to realise that electric cars are not the solution to our problems. They further encourage road-building, do nothing to prevent congestion and encourage urban sprawl instead of walkable communities.” Andrew Boswell, former Norfolk County Councillor and campaigner
Signed by
Cllr James Abbott, leader of the Green & Independent Group on Braintree District Council
Dr Andrew Boswell, Independent Scientist & Consultant, Norfolk
Cllr Jan Davis, Group Leader of the Greens on Broadland District Council Cllr.Jan.Davis@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Dr Pallavi Devulapalli, West Norfolk Green Party d_pallavi@hotmail.com
Colne Stour Countryside Association
Lisa Cross, campaigner and Green Party member.
Alistair Daw, Billericay Action Group, Essex
Edward Gildea, Uttlesford Green Party
Cllr, Robert Lindsay, deputy leader of the Green, LibDem, Independent Group on Suffolk County Council
Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, Mayor of Wivenhoe and Colchester Borough Councillor
Rebekah McGrane, Campaigner, Essex
Rosie Pearson, Planning & Environmental campaigner, Essex
Cllr Tim Regester, Campaigner, Suffolk
Trisha Roberts, Campaigner
Dr Iain Robinson on behalf of Wensum Woodlanders, Norfolk
Michael Staines, Campaigner & Independent Candidate, Essex
Cllr Paul Thorogood, Green Party, Essex
Cllr Lucy Galvin Leader Green Party Group Norwich City Council l.galvin@cllr.Norwich.gov.uk
Cllr Ben Price Leader Green Party Group Norfolk County Council Ben.price.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Rosie Pearson
Chair & Co-Founder
Community Planning Alliance
stopurbansprawlnow@gmail.com
https://www.communityplanningalliance.org/
