The first half of this series focused on general transport issues – not only those that need to be addressed under devolution but are key to managing transport after independence too.
These final five parts are what you’ve been waiting for. It’s time for specifics, including a look at some of the transport policies available to us after independence.
The first stop on that journey is roads and active travel.
- The present failure to increase the proportion of people in Wales who regularly walk or cycle despite the Active Travel Act 2013.
- The contribution private road traffic makes to air pollution and climate change, as well as the scale of necessary changes to decarbonise private traffic and road freight.
- Reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents in Wales each year.
- The impact a switch to electric vehicles – which are heavier, quieter and accelerate quickly – will have on road infrastructure and road safety. Also, how can a £1.7billion funding gap arising from the gradual loss of fuel duty be bridged?
- Workable alternatives to bypasses and road upgrades following the Welsh Government’s new criteria for approving road projects (2022-23 Roads Review).
- Whether any changes to road traffic and vehicle regulations are necessary after independence to support positive changes.
