Blueprint for a Gridlocked Economy

Last edited: Tuesday, 18th September 2007, 1:04 pm
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The RAC Foundation described the road transport aspects of the Conservative "Blueprint for a green Economy" as a "Blueprint for a gridlocked economy" which will stall economic development.

The RAC say the report falls into the trap of believing all the myths and misconceptions about road improvements. It rules out motorway widening and other road improvements without offering any kind of plan B. "It is strong on cliché but weak on practical alternatives."

The report also rules out national road charging. Yet the reality, according to the RAC, is that even with demand management and other measures in place, more road capacity is needed.  Their policy is influenced by a range of public concerns about the consequences of adding capacity.

The RAC sought to bebunk some myths about increasing road capacity, saying that "New road capacity does not simply fill up with traffic."  They say:
"New road capacity in appropriate locations generally relieves congestion, though by reducing travel times and costs, it also may lead to more traffic.  Some of this is traffic transferring from adjacent roads that are slower or more congested, but there may also be some new traffic.  However, this does not simply 'fill up' the additional capacity or move the traffic jam down the road to the next bottleneck.  Instead, there is a new balance between supply and demand in which there is more traffic than before, but less congestion and often less pollution."

Commenting on the report, Edmund king, executive director of the RAC Foundation said:
"If the measures in this plan were implemented it would lead to a gridlocked and stalled economy with more congestion and pollution rather than a "green economy". Roads are essential for 93% of passenger journeys and 67% of freight movement yet road improvements are ruled out. There is no plan B as the report also rules out national road pricing.

"The recommendations on workplace parking taxes are merely a tax on work and charging for out of town parking will fuel inflation whilst doing nothing for the environment. Their ideas on the road network need to stay in the blue sky rather than becoming a blueprint."<


 

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