October 18, 2007

Healthier alternatives to getting in the car - feedback sought

The need to address the effects of increased motor vehicle use on public health and the environment is a top priority in the draft Regional Land Transport Strategy, released this weekend for consultation by Environment Canterbury (ECan). *

Announcing the release of the draft strategy, ECan transport policy manager Vin Smith said it contains significant revisions such as an increased emphasis on public health and environmental sustainability in land transport planning and implementation.

“The strategy recognises the need to address the negative effects related to transport,” he said. “It aims to protect public health and prevent environmental degradation through a variety of planning, operational and promotional initiatives. This includes encouraging the use of alternatives to the private motor car like cycling, walking and public transport as well as the development of low-polluting technologies, such as using recycled bio-fuels in the Metro bus fleet.”

Other consequences of transport include damage to ecosystems, water quality, natural heritage sites, noise and amenity, vibration, visual impacts, separation of neighbourhoods and the emission of greenhouse gases.

As well as addressing the side-effects of transport, a separate Travel Demand Strategy, also being released this weekend, addresses ways to reduce traffic congestion.

“The results of the Canterbury annual monitoring report confirm every motorist’s suspicions – congestion is getting worse. Average daily traffic volumes are growing by approximately two per cent per annum, on the seven State Highway traffic count sites and the Christchurch traffic count sites,” Vin Smith said.

Reversing the tide of traffic congestion is one of the aims of the draft Travel Demand Strategy. It aims to manage unsustainable travel within the Canterbury land transport system by encouraging healthier choices.

“A key goal of the Travel Demand Strategy is to improve people’s perception, understanding and use of travel options other than single occupant private motor vehicles. Promoting ‘rideshare’ or carpooling is one recommended approach, along with encouraging changes in behaviour through promotional and educational programmes, and parking strategies.”

The main focus for Travel Demand programmes will be in the urban areas of Christchurch and Timaru, where public transport offers a viable alternative to many trips made in private motor cars, where cycling and walking are practical for short trips, and there is sufficient population to make rideshare or carpooling programmes feasible.

Both draft strategies - Regional Land Transport and Travel Demand are out for public consultation from this weekend.

They are available on www.ecan.govt.nz/transport from late Friday October 19, or by phoning ECan Customer Services 03 353 9007 or 0800 324 636. Submission forms and guidelines are included with the strategies and are also available on the ECan website or from Customer Services.

Consultation on both strategies closes on December 20, 2007.

* Footnote/background: The two strategies are the work of the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Committee (RLTC), a statutory committee convened by Environment Canterbury with representation from stakeholders throughout the region and responsible for making recommendations on the Regional Land Transport Strategy and to promote and monitor progress in implementing the strategy in the region.

ENDS

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