Fast, yes. But smart? Maybe
Local Transport Today
This week’s review of the Government’s high-speed rail plans by the National Audit Office makes grim reading for the DfT. The NAO makes a series of criticisms of the economic appraisal and questions the... continue
In Passing
Is the high-speed rail lobby running out of steam? We ask because the Scottish Government has just ruled out a proposal to extend the network from London all the way to Wick at the tip of the Scottish mainland. The... continue
Two observations from the cycling inquiry
Phil Goodwin
The evidence base for local transport funding is in place, but will the money materialise?
Jonathan Bray, Pteg support unit
The last spending review gave local transport spending outside London a good hiding. Local transport lacked political clout and there were built-in funding commitments that applied to London and national rail; and the evidence base for the benefits of local transport spending also had too many gaps. Worse for the big regional conurbations was that, by accident or design, a significant shift has also taken place within local transport spending as... continue
Is encouraging poorly trained cyclists really a good idea?
Matt Lovering, London, E14
I noted with wry amusement the admission from Andrew Gilligan in your current edition (‘London’s cycling commissioner admits TfL... continue
Motorcyclists will be at risk if cyclists get more space
Leon Mannings, Transport policy advisor, Motorcycle Action Group (UK), London SW16
As a former news and features writer for LTT, and now as a member of the mayor of London’s Roads Task Force and Transport for London’s Design Review Group for the ‘Better Junctions for Cycling’... continue
Consultants have seats on the HS2 gravy train
Stephen Plowden, London NW1
James Rowntree, the managing director of consultant CH2M HILL, told Andrew Forster that his firm’s involvement in developing Norman Foster’s Thames Gateway airport proposal did not imply commitment to the project... continue
Why are ‘green’ groups so antagonistic towards Tories?
Councillor John Bint, Conservative cabinet member for transport & highways, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes MK9
I read the letter (Letters LTT 19 Apr) from Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, with interest: he devotes five substantial paragraphs criticising Margaret Thatcher’s transport policies... continue
Three competing smartcards in one city – we need bus QCs
Roger Sexton, Nottingham NG1
In his otherwise excellent ‘Golcar Circular’ in LTT 3 May, Paul Salveson, like so many other politicians, misses one central point. For England to enjoy the excellent integrated public transport found in much of... continue
Bristol’s cycling levels can’t be attributed to Cycle City status
Mike Ginger, Bristol BS3
Steve Melia is correct to highlight the Bristol cycling phenomenon but it is a trend that has been going on much, much longer than the Cycling City project (‘No sign of Smart Travel Towns in Census’ LTT 19... continue
We need more 24hr bus lanes, not fewer
Chris Barker, Hornsey, London N8
So Leicestershire police want to restrict bus lane times to rush hours (‘Scrap 24hr bus lanes, say police’ LTT 19 Apr). I cannot see the point of this. If traffic is heavy bus lanes are needed for buses (and... continue
Modelling cycling behaviour in different weather conditions
Your report about TfL trying to model cycling crossed with my last about excuses for non-action on cycling (“TfL revamps traffic modelling to reflect cyclists’ actual behaviour” LTT 19 Apr). In the absence... continue
Bristol BRT2 – will the city’s mayor make the right choice?
Gavin Smith, Bristol BS3
The saga of Bristol’s Long Ashton-Temple Meads Bus Rapid Transit (‘BRT2’) route is hotting up for its final phase – and rumours run rife. A nice rumour is that bus operators (with a certain amount of... continue
Chancellor must back capital’s transport in spending review
Alistair McPhee, Vice-president transportation systems, Thales UK, London E1W
I agree with London Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Colin Stanbridge and his ‘Grow London – Tell George’ campaign. We need to modernise some of the oldest parts of the London Underground.... continue
Don’t let rail freight lobby thwart road freight efficiencies
Jack Semple, Director of policy, Road Haulage Association Ltd, Weybridge, Surrey KT13
Can I clarify for your readers the issue of 25.25 metre trucks, on which pressure group Freight on Rail commented in a recent issue (‘EU rethinks lorry designs’ LTT 19 Apr)? The European Commission has given... continue
