Lib Dems outline transport policies
October 30, 2008 12:13 PM
In a letter to the Norwich Evening News Brian Watkins, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Norwich City Council, outlined the party's local transport plans and responded to Green Party accusations.
He wrote:
Dear Evening News,
I feel I have to respond to Green Party Cllr Bob Gledhill's letter (Evening News Oct 18th) regarding the Liberal Democrats support for the full dualling of the A11.
He states that the A11 would cost £135 million to improve; the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce estimate that the improved road would boost the local economy by £600 million. Cllr Gledhill fails to mention that the 9 mile stretch between Thetford and the Fiveways roundabout is, according to government reports, unacceptably dangerous. He also fails to mention that the road is very congested with slow moving and stationary vehicles causing extra pollution. Most worryingly, he fails to mention that improvements to the road are supported by fire and ambulance services who are consistently delayed in reaching emergencies by traffic jams and congestion. These are delays which endanger lives.
He says improving the road network to make it safer and less congested would be nullified by other policies. A safe and suitable road network is just part of our wider transport strategy; in the last few months the Lib Dem Group on Norwich City Council have put forward plans to improve cycling facilities in the city and have campaigned to improve the rail network in the region.
On air travel, the reality is that I don't want to see uncontrolled airport expansion. In the autumn the Liberal Democrats committed themselves to not increasing total runway capacity in Britain - that means we oppose the expansion of Heathrow and Stansted Airports. Now is clearly not the right time, environmentally or economically, to be building new runways at airports. Where we differ from the Green Party is that we want to see the viability of regional airports supported. The Greens would be prepared to see them run down with the consequential loss of local jobs.
Bob Gledhill talks about the "progress of our civilisation" - I don't feel civilisation is being progressed by the dangerous and congested A11. I wonder if those stuck in traffic jams every day on their way to work feel that they are 'improving civilisation' or whether they think sitting in a jam is improving their "well-being". People need to travel in and out of Norwich for work, to visit friends and family or for leisure activities, businesses small and large rely on a decent transport system - this is the reality consistently ignored by the anti-car anti-development Greens.
What the Greens fail to grasp and have always failed to grasp, is that they can't just impose their lifestyle on people. What we need are genuine tax reforms to make the system fairer and to encourage sustainable behaviour, along with investment in public transport and renewable energy. It's not about banning cars, or reducing the number of roads to drive them on, or closing airports; it's about saying to people and businesses that they have a choice, but that the rewards for choosing an environmentally friendly option will be genuine and fair. To tackle environmental problems we need clear and realistic thinking; something the Green Party fails to offer.
Cllr Brian Watkins
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Norwich City Council
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