DfT guidance urges stronger leadership in carbon reduction

12 November 2009

Local authorities must display strong political and managerial leadership and achieve demonstrable results if their local transport plans are to achieve the tough 2020 carbon reduction targets, new guidance states.

The Department for Transport local authority guide, Delivering sustainable low carbon travel, sets out how the department believes sustainable travel initiatives can help the UK meet its 34% cut in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2020.

It says councils must provide positive choices for travellers, a holistic package of measures, and that these must be suited to local conditions. This approach, it says, should fit naturally into the local transport plan process. It will require strong business cases for travel initiatives and innovative thinking on funding.

The guide singles out the sustainable travel demonstration towns and cycling demonstration towns as positive examples where congestion has been reduced, health and quality of life improved and carbon emissions reduced.

‘The experience of the sustainable travel demonstration towns is that successful delivery requires certain key elements, including a senior management champion, clear strategic direction, political leadership and good stakeholder management,’ according to the DfT.

Leading this will require a steering group that works with community partners including local businesses, educational establishments, health bodies, other authorities, transport operators and community groups.

‘I hope to see the third round of local transport plans delivering transport strategies which can realise the full benefits of sustainable travel at the local, regional and national level,’ said transport minister Sadiq Khan. ‘The key is effective delivery.’

www.dft.gov.uk

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login