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What’s Occurring
EDINBURGH TO ADOPT CONGESTION CHARGING
Edinburgh council say that leading analysts predict that charging motorists £2 to drive into Edinburgh between 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday would lead to 80,000 fewer vehicles using the
city's roads each day about one sixth of the current traffic on the Capital's roads. The predicted results, arrived at using sophisticated computer modelling, are so dramatic that council transport leaders did not
at first believe them and insisted on having them audited.
Edinburgh Council say the main purpose of road tolls was to cut congestion and pollution - with cash for transport improvements coming second. However the AA have questioned whether
there would be enough public transport to allow drivers to leave their cars at home.
Disabled people, buses, emergency vehicles, motorcyclists and moped riders would not pay the charge.
M4 BUS LANE
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) warn all motorcyclists that the M4 bus lane is not yet open to motorcyclists.
Thanks to lobbying by MAG motorcyclists will be able to use this bus lane by July 24 but those who use it before then are liable to prosecution.
MAG's success with the M4 bus lane follows similar successes in Bristol, Reading and Bath where the authorities have recognised the traffic beating potential of motorcycles.
OUCH! CAMPAIGN TARGETS YOUNG BIKERS IN HUMBERSIDE
A new road safety campaign has being launched in a bid to give novice bikers in Humberside the skills they need to enjoy safe motorcycling.
Humberside Police, Kingston upon Hull City Council and local motorcycle trainers joined forces to launch the "Ouch!" campaign, with the aim of reducing the number of injuries to
young bikers and scooter riders.
Crashes involving motorcyclists fell dramatically through the 1990’s but the trend has reversed in the last few years as sales of new bikes have boomed. New motorcyclists and
scooter riders are most at risk especially those in the 16-19 year age bracket - according to road safety professionals on Humberside.
"Apart from the familiar problem of drivers not looking for bikes the key danger seems to be a combination of inexperience and showing off," said Hull City Council RSO, Mark
Jessop. "Since parents are often the ones buying the bike and paying for the training they can play a crucial role in providing a solution."
The OUCH! event was staged in Hull on the evening of Monday 13th May to draw attention to the risks and provide survival tips. As well as advice from trainers and police officers there
were several competitions, with prizes ranging from helmets and gloves to a complete training course. The campaign was covered by the local press, local BBC radio and regional BBC TV.
A high proportion of new riders wear little more protective clothing than they would on a pedal cycle because they don’t realise the potential for serious injury," said PC Steve
Fisher from Humberside Police. "One of the purposes of this event was to encourage those new to two wheels to protect themselves."
For further details call Mark Jessop at Hull City Council on 01482 612103 or email him on Mark.Jessop@hullcc.gov.uk.
ROAD TRAFFIC SPEED SELECT COMMITTEE INQUIRY PUBLISHED
The Report of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee Inquiry into Road Traffic Speed was published on Wednesday 19th June 2002. If you would like a copy of the publication contact
The Stationery Office (General Enquiries: 08457 023474). The report can be found online at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/557/55702.htm
The inquiry examined the role of illegal and inappropriate speed in respect of: causing crashes, and the severity of accidents; reducing the quality of life in urban areas; and the
consequences of illegal and inappropriate speed for urban design. The inquiry also looked how the problems associated with speed should be tackled and the extent to which relevant bodies are taking the right actions.
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Following the resignation of Stephen Byers, the Prime Minister has decided to create a new Department for Transport to focus solely on transport issues. Most of the other responsibilities
of the former Department for Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) will be brought into the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and put together with his existing related responsibilities for social
exclusion and the regions (including the Government Offices in the Regions).
The Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, is Secretary of State for the Department for Transport. Previously Alistair Darling was Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions from
June 2001 to May 2002. Department for Transport can be accessed at: www.dft.gov.uk
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