Transport

Containing two of the country’s most congested motorways, the M42 bisecting the north of the constituency and the M40 in the south, the area’s transport policy must be geared towards easing the pressure on our roads. At peak times the M42 may be stationary in both directions and yet poor public transport does nothing to ease this. Active Traffic Management has been introduced with variable speed limits and opening up of the hard shoulder for traffic at peak times which has brought some improvement but one wonders for how long the use of the hard shoulder can cope with the demand.

Vehemently opposing the proposed MSA (Motorway Service Area) on a congested stretch of the M42, I feel that the government-endorsed policy will do nothing to alleviate the congestion crisis and further the strain on the motorway. The MSA decision adds to the confusion and anxiety already rife in the area and suggests the plans to expand Birmingham Airport are also on hold since the two are interdependent. While a public inquiry was supposed to have started in June 2007, the process itself has been discredited by the ‘behind the doors’ discussions between affected parties out of the public eye. The start date of the public inquiry should have been delayed yet again. It is imperative that whatever the decision is, it is a safe and sustainable one and not open to question. I have raised this in parliament with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asking her to ensure all parties involved in the Public Inquiry are given adequate time to consider and respond to the discussions going on at the moment.

“This is a public inquiry and therefore it is wrong for deals to be struck behind closed doors.”

With a congested road system, there is little if no alternative with the region’s train service. Train services use the congested West Coast mainline and the upgraded Chiltern Line. Commuters to London depend on the service being reliable but in the event of a problem with either the track or the train services, the commute is easily disrupted. Commuters have seen steep increases in rail fares over the last three years, especially steeply on the West Coast mainline, with little evident justification. Local trains are affected by congestion on the line as they have to give way to express services. It’s is incredibly important that the rail situation is resolved so as to encourage use of public transport in a society becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of climate change. The M6 toll road was built to alleviate congestion but it is a drawback that heavy goods vehicles still tend to use the old M6 and motorists seem reluctant to pay the toll.

While environmental concerns flourish in the region, the M6 toll road has taken some of the congestion off the M6 motorway. The Government has recently announced plans for Britain’s second private toll motorway. The plan is for 2 northbound and 2 southbound lanes running alongside the M6 motorway north from where the current M6 Toll finishes, linking Birmingham to Manchester. The proposed new toll road is many years away. There is a consultation first and the likelihood of many public inquiries before any changes are made which will help alleviate congestion further on the busy M6. It’s essential that any road building schemes are complimented by policies to encourage public transport use and greener alternatives, we don’t want to simply encourage more cars to come on the road.

“Road building must occur in conjunction with improving public transport”

Transport

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