GETTING BRITAIN MOVING

Tackling traffic congestion and pollution and making travel in the UK fairer and more accessible are the key themes for the new Commission for Integrated Transport, recently launched by Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

Published on the first anniversary of last year's Integrated Transport White Paper, the Commission's two-year work programme aims to help deliver solutions to some of the country's most pressing transport issues. Made up of leading figures in transport, chaired by Professor David Begg, with Vice-Chairman, Sir Trevor Chinn, it will publish its first annual report in July 2000.

Welcoming the Commission, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said:

'The work of the Commission will be vital to delivering a genuine integrated transport system. It is made up from transport experts across the country, with the experience, vision and commitment to bring about the kind of change we need. It is not just a think tank, but an independent body, committed to the objectives of the White Paper. It will help to tackle the legacy of neglect we have inherited after years of under investment in transport'.

Included in the Commission's remit are:

the co-ordination of local transport plans to meet integrated transport objectives

plans to tackle traffic growth to examine public subsidies for the bus industry

solutions for rural transport

the development of green transport plans

FIRST STEPS TO CREATE NEW NATIONAL PARKS

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott recently announced first steps towards designation of the New Forest and the South Downs as National Parks.

The proposed two new National Parks would bring the number of National Parks in England and Wales to 12. The total area being considered for designation amounts to almost 2,000 sq km..

National Park status would ensure protection of natural beauty, wildlife and the area's cultural heritage. It would create a body which could then provide opportunities for enjoying the countryside while maintaining sustainable development.

Mr Prescott said: "National Parks, along with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are recognised as being our most beautiful countryside. We have been looking carefully at what needs to be done to ensure the protection and good management of these areas for the next 50 years"

"I have now asked the Countryside Agency to consider designating a New Forest National Park and, in consultation with local authorities, a National Park in the South Downs."

Environment Minister Michael Meacher added:

"We also intend to do more to conserve and enhance the very varied collection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which are equal in terms of landscape significance to the National Parks. We will very shortly be providing details of a new series of measures to this end."

Last year the former Countryside Commission presented advice to Government, in 'Protecting our Finest Countryside', about the future status of the New Forest and the South Downs, and about measures needed to protect and manage AONBs. The advice recognised that the New Forest fully met the criteria for designation as a National Park. But The Countryside Commission considered that the South Downs did not conform to the way they had traditionally operated the criteria for designation as a National Park, which placed emphasis on selecting areas of open country with a degree of ruggedness or wildness.

Ministers are asking the Countryside Agency to look again at the way the criteria are operated. The Government is committed to improving people's enjoyment of the countryside, and the most sustainable way to do this is by providing recreational opportunities close to where people live. Ministers are therefore asking the Countryside Agency to consult the local authorities concerned with a view to bringing forward recommendations as to how a National Park could best operate on the Downs.

Since the introduction of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, ten National Parks and 41 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have been created in England and Wales. The planning system provides strong protection for natural beauty in all these areas.

National Parks' main budgets come from the Government, 75% direct in the form of National Parks Grant and the remaining 25% through the revenue support grant to local authorities. Membership is drawn mainly from local interests though - the arrangements are that constituent local authorities appoint one half plus one of the members of the Authority; the Secretary of State appoints the rest, of which one half minus one come forward through a process of local democracy to represent parish interests. On a typical National Park Authority of 26 members, that means 14 local authority appointees, 5 to represent parish interests, and 7 appointed by the Secretary of State to represent the national interest.

· National Park Authorities have wide-ranging powers, similar to those of local authorities, to restrict roads and parking areas.

· National Park Authorities are producing their own Local Transport Plans. Make sure motorcycles are not excluded, or severely restricted, from Britain's best loved areas by contacting the transport planning department and asking for a copy of their draft transport plan!

PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES NEW MOTORISTS' FORUM

Taking account of the increasing demands from organisations like MAG, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has bowed to pressure and announced a new Motorists' Forum giving motorists a voice in the development of transport policy today.

The Forum will work closely with the new Commission for Integrated Transport, and will be chaired by Sir Trevor Chinn, Chairman of Lex Service PLC, and Vice- Chairman of the Commission.

Membership of the Forum will include organisations representing a broad spectrum of motorists' interests, and will feed the motorists' view into the wider considerations of the Commission and to Government.

John Prescott said:

"I have always said our integrated transport policy is not anti-motorist. The real anti-motorist policy is to do nothing about worsening congestion and pollution.

"The car will continue to play a central role in this country's transport system, and the setting up of this Forum demonstrates our commitment to hearing and acting upon the views of the motorist.

"I am delighted Sir Trevor has agreed to lead the new group, and to help ensure that the car plays its role in our integrated transport strategy to best effect."

Trevor Chinn CVO is Chairman of Lex Service PLC, which provides vehicle services for businesses and the private motorist. He was appointed to the Board in 1959 and became Chairman in 1973. For the past 11 years his company has produced the Lex Report on Motoring, providing a valuable insight into attitudes on transport issues. He is also Chairman of RAC Holdings. He is one of 35 business leaders appointed in 1997 by the Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, to be an Ambassador for British Business.

The Commission for Integrated Transport provides the Government with independent advice on implementing integrated transport, to deliver the clean, safe, fair and efficient transport system the country needs. Its members were selected for their wide experience of transport issues and breadth of vision in tackling the challenges of integrated transport.

HEREDITARY PEERS QUEUE UP FOR CHANCE TO STAY ON

Dozens of unelected hereditary peers - dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons - have been registering to stay on in the House of Lords. With the Government's Bill removing their centuries-old traditional right to sit and vote in Parliament expected to become law within the next few weeks, MAG sources confirmed that there is "a reasonable flood" of hereditaries seeking to register as candidates in the elections for the 90 who will remain.

"When the books opened on Monday there was a reasonable flood and we expect that to carry on. Yes there have been dozens," said the source.

Hereditaries have until next Thursday, October 21, to register. Every member of the Lords including life peers will be able to vote for 15 hereditaries to stay as office holders - deputy speakers who sit on the Woolsack, in place of the Lord Chancellor when the House is in session.

The temporary group of hereditaries who will stay on after the others have been ejected will be made up of 42 Tories, 28 Crossbenchers, three Liberal Democrats and two Labour peers.

The first election for office holders will be on October 27 and 28 and the result will be declared next day. The second round will be held a week later with the count on, appropriately, November 5, Guy Fawkes Day.

The Queen opens Parliament on November 17 and by then it is expected the House of Lords Bill will be law, which means hereditaries who fail to win a place in the group that will stay on will be barred.

This is the one day of the year when peers dress up in ermine-trimmed red robes to listen to the Queen read out the Government's legislative programme for next year.

Asked if any hereditaries who try to "gatecrash" the State Opening ceremony will be forcibly ejected, MAG's source replied:

"That is a hypothetical situation."

Biker Bands Wanted

This is an appeal for bands and artists who would like to enter this competition.

Every Friday night 2 bands will perform for a 45min set. I am looking for 70 bands to compete in The Battle of the Bands. Each band should be able to do a 45 min set, this to include at least 60% original material. All bands/artists should send a demo tape/cd to me at the above address.

Sponsors and Judges are also required for this event. Top prizes will be given to winning band/artist. Details: Phone: 01780 444511, Mobile: 07971 919288 Opening Friday 5th November 1999. Concluding Friday 7th July 2000. At The Northwick Arms, Ketton, nr Stamford, Lincs.

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF ROAD CASUALTIES PUBLISHED

"Road Accidents Great Britain 1998 - The Casualty Report" has finally been published.

It contains detailed information on personal injury road accidents in Great Britain in 1998, supplementing the summary statistics released on June 17 which reported a fatality count of 3,421, the lowest level since records began in 1926, despite record traffic levels.

The report also highlights:

That the number of children killed and seriously injured in road accidents fell by 6 per cent in 1998 compared to the 1997 level and by 48 per cent since the baseline; and

An increase in casualties from drink drive accidents between 1994 and 1997. However, the number of deaths in drink drive accidents fell for the second successive year according to provisional estimates for 1998.

This casualty report provides more detailed information about accident circumstances, vehicle involvement and the consequent casualties. It also shows some of the important trends in accident and casualty distributions. Two articles are included this year which:- review casualty trends and the value of prevention of road accidents; and assess trends in drink driving statistics.

The report, in the review article and in more detailed tables, details progress towards the year 2000 casualty target, formulated in 1987 by the then Secretary of State as a one third casualty reduction compared with a baseline average of casualties in 1981-1985.

This target was achieved for serious injuries in 1992, and road deaths in 1994; and in 1998 these two categories were 45 per cent and 39 per cent below their respective baselines. However, in 1998, 'slightly injured' casualties were 16 per cent above their baseline, due mostly to a 67 per cent increase in car occupant 'slight injury' casualties who account for 67 per cent of all slightly injured road users. Total casualties were consequently one per cent above their baseline in 1998. Car traffic increased by 60 per cent during this period.

Some important facts are contained in the report :-

About half of child accidental deaths are due to road accidents. For teenagers between 15 and 19 years old, the proportion is nearly three-quarters. All road deaths, regardless of age, account for nearly 30 per cent of all accidental deaths.

40 per cent of pedestrian casualties are children but only 11 per cent of pedestrian fatalities are children. However, 15 per cent of pedestrian casualties are age 60 or over and this group accounts for 47 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities because they do not recover so easily from trauma as younger people.

In 1998, the casualty rate per 100 million vehicle kilometers for fatal and seriously injured car occupants had fallen by 56 per cent since the baseline, although the rate of slight casualties has risen by 4 per cent.

In 1998, the number of motorcyclist casualties increased by 0.5 per cent while the number of deaths fell by 2 per cent to 498. Fatalities have fallen by 50 per cent since the baseline while all casualties have fallen by 62 per cent but the casualty rate fell by only 20 per cent.

Pedal cyclist casualties in 1998 fell by 7 per cent from the 1997 level, a fall of 19 per cent from the baseline average. The casualty rate per 100,000 vehicle kilometres rose by 24 per cent. Fatal and serious injuries fell by 45 per cent compared to the baseline.

· 'Road Accidents Great Britain - The Casualty Report 1998' (ISBN 011552161-5) is published by the Stationery Office, price £19, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. It provides a full account of road accidents in Great Britain.

· The statistics deal mainly with personal road injury accidents on public roads reported by the police or to the police within 30 days of the accident occurring. Fatalities refer to casualties who died within 30 days of the accident. They are compiled by date of accident. Similar statistics of deaths on public roads, but compiled by date of registration, are published by the Registrars General.

· Motorcycle casualties continue to be 62% below their baseline average (1981 - 85) figure. This is the same as 1997, so biking must be getting safer, due to the increasing number in sales.

In 1997, 3,599 people were killed and 32,3945 injured (42,967 seriously) in road traffic accidents. By far the biggest single cause was driving too fast for the conditions. When asked what drivers can do to avoid accidents, 70% of survey respondents say drive more slowly. When asked what they personally could do, only 30% admit they could drive more slowly themselves. Two thirds of all accidents in which people are injured happen in urban roads with a maximum speed limit of 30mph. 70% of people break the speed limit on these roads.

The difference between 30mph and 35mph is an extra stopping distance of six and a half metres, longer than two motorcycles. If a car is dropped nose down from the height of a two-storey building, it will be travelling at around 30mph when it hits the ground. The impact of a vehicle travelling at 35mph is 36% harder.

At 35mph you are twice as likely to kill someone as you are at 30mph.

GREEN TRANSPORT PLANS

Green transport plans (GTPs) are a package of initiatives introduced by employers to reduce car use for commuting, business travel, customer access and fleet management.

In June 99 the DETR published a document 'Preparing your organisation for transport in the future - the benefits of green transport plans'. This document is being distributed to employers and lays out all the economic and environmental reasons for reducing car access to employment sites.

However, it does not mention PTWs.

At a recent Cheshire LTP symposium I noticed a large number of employers represented. Most already have GTPs under development but some were having difficulty with the following:

· Approach roads to workplace not suitable for cycling.
· A mix of inflexibility from their own managers and bus companies leading to problems with time keeping.
· Problems with timing inter-site transport.

It seemed to me that the time scale involved in persuading either the Government or local authorities to include PTWs in their GTP recommendations would be too long to make an impression on those companies already looking at GTPs so I decided to try my own approach.

I contacted local dealers and put forward the idea of putting together a sales package of moped, insurance and riding kit at a preferential price - especially if sold in units of five or more. I also suggested a free, monthly collection and delivery for those mopeds needing service. I then contacted two large employers and suggested that they should consider PTWs in their own GTPs.

One was interested, but not yet. (I now know they are looking at relocating their site from Crewe to Heathrow). The other asked for a written submission to put before their GTP committee.

This company (4000 employees at one site) has now agreed to include PTWs in their recommended alternatives to the car. Secure parking and lockers for riding gear are already promised and they will shortly be contacting the dealer to talk about deals for members of staff wanting to try PTWs.

SUGGESTIONS:

There is a growing need for the DETR GTP document to be supplemented by MAG's booklet outlining local transport plans. This needs distributing to as many employers as possible by riders.

This could be done through local authorities. They should at least get a copy. Given both the resistance of some authorities to PTWs, and the level of departmental isolation leading to documents not getting to the right officer this will not work in many cases.

Local reps should get a supply, but contacting all local employers will be beyond the funds and time of most groups.

This article will be distributed with Streetbiker along with a request that all members pass it to their employer. The direct approach seems to work. If this gets results then maybe the commercial magazines could be persuaded to follow suit.

Meanwhile, Local Action!

Those activists with time to spare (!) can try their own approach. Try firms you have seen at LTP meetings. Chemical and research companies with an image problem may be receptive, as may those with parking/access problems. Smaller, local dealers seem more willing to talk deals than the big boys.

I got a result out of 8 phone calls and a fax. Try it.

To assist you with this campaign MAG's booklet on Local Transport Plans, 'The Powered Two Wheel Option' has been included with this edition of Network - Further copies can be obtained from Phil Neale at MAG Central Office (0870 444 8 448), or via the MAG Website.

MAG's basic position on PTWs in Green Transport Plans is laid out in this booklet.

· Almost every one has a moped entitlement on their driving licence and could take on a moped as a second vehicle. Mopeds can now do between 125 and 175 mpg so for local trips there is a reasonable saving to be made. If enough people are interested it may be able to do a deal on purchase price and servicing.

· If the Powered Two Wheeler (PTW) were considered to be an option MAG would advise that additional training be offered to those interested, as PTW training is to a much higher standard than that available for car users.

Dave Hammond