Local Government is committed to working with the new Welsh Government to achieve:
- A shared strategy for transport which would inform a National Infrastructure Plan;
- The removal of hypothecation of funding so that there can be the flexibility for local innovation;
- Three year budgets for Regional Transport Consortia to improve planning, innovation and flexible responses;
- Clarity over how the carbon reduction targets for transport are to be met; and
- The maintenance of the concessionary fares scheme as a Welsh Government funding responsibility.
Background:
Local government recognises that developing better and more sustainable transport in Wales is going to be key to economic renewal and is therefore a high priority. A successful business needs access to materials, access to labour and access to product markets. Any location which has restricted access is unlikely to attract investment and will be uncompetitive in the global economy. Access and transport are also crucial to the regeneration of communities, tackling poverty, the delivery of quality health and social care, education and training opportunities and housing developments.
Local government recognises that better access need not require ever greater mobility. Smart, sustainable planning strategies are needed that better connect the markets for labour, capital and products without always increasing the amount of travel. Collaboration on Regional Transport Plans has allowed these factors to be given greater consideration by councils at a strategic level, linked to the Wales Spatial Plan. The Sustainable Development Commission’s work on Low Carbon regions is important in this respect. In this challenging era of fiscal constraint we will need to innovate in our transport strategies. In preparing for the future this could include planned programmes of highway maintenance, bridge strengthening, junction improvements, park and rides, bus corridors, cycle lanes, Intelligent Transport Systems, electrical ‘plug-in’ points, LPG service outlets and new port facilities.
We will need to improve access for business and citizens without relying on ever greater car use. Emissions of carbon dioxide are the main contributor to climate change. Road transport is responsible for around a quarter of total emissions (13% from cars) From 2011, the Welsh Government has committed to overall reductions of 3% p.a. in carbon emissions in areas of devolved responsibility, which include transport. Looking to the future, climate change will lead to more frequent adverse weather conditions, requiring more resources to deal with floods/increased winter maintenance requirements.
Sustainable transport can contribute to environmental protection and quality of life through better land use, improved safety, carbon reduction and energy efficiency. Better project management encourages reduced waste and better resource efficiency. Public transport is increasingly an option as households seek to manage with fewer cars. As a result of the concessionary fares scheme, operators have invested in their fleet and frequency of services so quality of service has improved, making this a more attractive option.
Invest to save opportunities exist, encouraging consideration of ‘whole life’ / holistic costings (e.g. energy efficient street lamps; improved maintenance to reduce claims). Current low interest rates make investment in improving transport prudential borrowing more attractive for infrastructure.