How do we change the current polluting system into one fit for the future?

1. Make new developments car-free.

Tower Hamlets in London has a car-free homes planning policy to help reduce traffic congestion and better manage the limited on-street parking spaces.

2. Reduce parking provision to discourage driving in small towns and cities.

Reducing parking provision has the added benefit of increasing the number of dwellings on a site, offering the potential to double the supply of affordable homes. Residents then would walk, cycle or use the bus more often.

3. Lower Speed Limits.

Most Northern European countries have default speed limits of 20mph in residential and urban areas. There is evidence that 20mph speed limits effectively reduce accidents and injuries, traffic speed and volume. It also increases the perception of safely. Sherwood in Nottingham reported a 17.5 per cent increase in walking and cycling as a result of a 20mph limit.

4. Support Electric Vehicles.

Electric car clubs have been established in Oxford and Milton Keynes. Residents and businesses can hire electric cars or vans by the hour, helping to address the higher capital costs of electric vehicles while capitalising on the very low running costs.

5. Change ways of ownership to invest in public transport

In Britain, there are still 12 local authorities with municipally-owned bus operators. They reinvest profits to enhance the service instead of paying dividends. Reading Buses is one and was operator of the year in 2015. Nottingham City Transport has the highest passenger satisfaction rating of any English operator.

Taking railways back into public ownership could save an estimated £1 billion a year, (Taylor and Sloman, 2012), which could be used to improve services and lower fares. It would involve acquiring franchises as they expire or companies which fail to meet franchise conditions. In Europe, between 80-100 per cent of passenger train services and most rail freight services (except the Netherlands) are provided this way.

6. Increase support for walking and cycling.

In England, investment in cycling is less than £2/person compared with Scotland’s £6-7 and the Dutch’s £24. Improved health from cycling more could save the NHS as much as £2-6 billion a year by 2025.

Please contact your MP Ed Vaizey (dicksonce@parliament.uk) if you want him to support these changes.