Press Releases for 2004
NEW TRANSPORT POLICIES FOR ASHFORD
15th January 2004Ashford Green Party has delivered three major reports on improving transport policies to Ashford Borough Council (1). The reports are a new Ashford Borough Transport Policy, A Transport Policy for Wye and Park and Ride: fiasco and failure (2). These documents are the result of over two years of work by Ashford Green Party members concerned about the Council's response to the transport implications of expansion. All three documents can be seen at this website address: www.kentgreenparty.org.uk or request a copy by ringing 01233 645167. Steve Dawe comments:
"Ashford Borough Council transport policies are currently inadequate. An expanding Ashford means a huge expansion in traffic. Without measures to constrain traffic growth, a nightmare scenario of gridlock and increasing air pollution will make Ashford a very unpleasant place to live. New policies are needed to counter traffic expansion, including:
* The future success of an integrated town centre depends on radically reducing traffic movement in the central area of Ashford. This should include blocking Elwick Road to through traffic at the crossing nearest bank Street.
* Walking and Cycling networks need completion, with priority over road building. This is essential to cut 'school run' traffic, coupled with the 'Walking Bus' initiative. Full integration of train services with buses, and walking and cycling routes needs to occur at all rail stations.
* Junction 10A, and any attempt to secure a southern ring road, are a huge waste of money. Combined traffic reduction policies and good public transport can be used to suppress traffic movements even under conditions of population expansion. New roads have been shown to generate more traffic and longer journeys (3).
"No money for Park and Ride: Park and Ride tends to increase the length and number of car journeys and reduces bus services. It also requires cross-subsidies to support it, making it the wrong choice for Ashford. Bus service incidence and coverage can be improved, with integration between transport modes and better supply of information. Teleworking and home delivery of goods can help to reduce car journeys. Freight transport by road can be reduced if we all shop from small, local businesses whenever possible."
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Further information: Steve Dawe, 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH. Notes: 1. Documents were hand-delivered to Richard Alderton, Strategic Planning Manager, and Alan Joynson, Highways and Transportation Manager, on 14.1.04, with a letter to John Jory, Director of Development Services asking for remedial action on transport policies. 2. All three documents can be found under Reports/factsheets at www.kentgreenparty.org.uk 3. The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic (HMSO, December 1994).
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