Newsdesk
We should all support congestion charges
June 2003East Kent Green Party supports the introduction of congestion charges to reduce traffic problems in Dover. A 100% increase in port-related traffic over the next decade would be appalling for the town (1). The 1.8 million lorry journeys through the Port of Dover in 2002 was a new record, and inevitably accompanied by air pollution. Reducing this by congestion charges, and getting more freight on to rail, is essential to air quality and congestion relief in Dover. Steve Dawe comments:
"Further increases in port traffic in Dover need not be tolerated. Congestion charging in London has increased traffic speed by 37% and reduced periods of congestion by 40%, exceeding expectations(2). Higher speeds are not just desirable for the convenience of drivers, they also keep air pollution down since an immobile vehicle emits up to 10 times the emissions of a moving one. After our campaigning on the issue in 1998-99, the Government introduced the 'Britdisc' charge on foreign Heavy Goods Vehicles(HGVs). Similar charges are in use all over Europe. Unfortunately, charges have not been great enough to reduce HGV movements over long distances, despite EU support for 'Combined Transport' the movement of goods by container on trains preferably, with road only being used for a part of the trip. Each year in Britain, up to 24,000 people die prematurely from air pollution, which is primarily from traffic. Many thousands more have respiratory conditions like Asthma and Bronchitis exacerbated by traffic pollution, creating a significant burden on the NHS. Congestion charging will make life easier for sufferers of such conditions in the Dover area." Ends C269 WORDS
FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe on 01233 645167/07904 382203 or 0207 089 3821 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH. Steve Dawe teaches Environmental Policy for the Open University and is the Green Party's sole worker at the No Euro Campaign Office in London. Notes: 1. Comments of Paul Watkins, leader of the Council: < A HREF="http://www.news/bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/hi/england/kent/2955388" TARGET="_blank">www.news/bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/hi/england/kent/2955388.stm 2.6.03.; 2."Charging speeds up London 37%" The Guardian, Friday 6th June 2003.
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