TRANSPORT

INTRODUCTION

Cornwall Friends of the Earth Transport Group (CFoETG) is made up of representatives from the Cornish FoE local groups. It was formed as a response to Cornish and UK transport policies that have seen massive road building programmes since the 1970's based on predict and provide - (forecasting traffic growth and providing ever more road space to satisfy it, a never-ending spiral of demand).

As new roads have been built and others duelled across Cornwall, the much talked-up rewards have proved illusory; the low wage economy is still prevalent, it is more difficult for those without a car to travel around and congestion continues to worsen.

Transport policies have contributed to:

  • higher car use and car dependency;

  • a deterioration in public transport;

  • a reduction in cycling;

  • the closure of local facilities such as shops and hospitals; and

  • a centralization of services in the name of 'efficiency';

  • children's loss of freedom to safely explore their environment and to play outside their homes;

  • dangerous levels of pollutant emissions and consequences for human health and wildlife;

  • a massive loss of countryside, tranquil places and rurality; and

  • travel as the fastest growing source of climate change emissions of carbon dioxide.

OUR AIMS

We want clean air, quiet, safe, peaceful neighbourhoods and communities, and the ability of all sections of the community to get to and from friends and family, public services, work and leisure facilities - accessibility.

We want to see:

  • A real reduction in road traffic at least in line with the Road Traffic Reduction Act

  • Increased and better provision for pedestrians and cyclists

  • Full consideration of the needs of all people - including those with disabilities, the elderly, those on limited means and children

  • Cheaper, better and fully integrated public transport

  • Planning that emphasises accessibility rather than mobility and that fully takes into account the need to reduce road traffic, so, for instance, halting further out-of-town developments.

  • A full analysis of the potential of maritime transport.

We want to promote investigation into these issues and into the links between road-building and the economy and traffic and tourism. We demand a realization from the highway authorities that creating a more sustainable transport system demands BOTH improved public transport and pedestrian/cyclist facilities AND reduced facilities for cars that encourages inappropriate and unsustainable use. One will not happen without the other. And most of all we are committed to raising awareness and compelling action on the considerable potential to control and reduce motorised traffic levels through demand management in order to restrain the calamitous climate changing impacts from transport emissions.

We believe that transport is inextricably bound up with human activity and that transport systems are a vital indication of the quality of the relationship we have with each other and the planet.