Time for LITS to deliver on sustainable transport
1st November 2010– for immediate release
On hearing the news that the Government will not be funding the Mottram bypass [2], campaigners are urging Tameside Council to move on from the bypass and focus instead on the sustainable transport elements of the LITS strategy.
Emma Lawrence from Save Swallow’s Wood said:
“The Longdendale Integrated Transport Strategy [3]
was never about sustainable travel; it was merely a Trojan horse for the
Mottram bypass – an interim measure that would just make matters
worse, in the hope that one day they could press on with the full Mottram-Tintwistle
scheme. We are really hoping that something positive will come out of
it now, and that all the time and energy that has been wasted on the bypass
will be redirected into developing partnerships with the bus companies,
neighbouring councils, and other service providers that are needed to
deliver an integrated and sustainable transport solution.”
Campaigners believe that the Council should drop the road
proposal from LITS and then seek funding from the Government’s Sustainable
Transport Fund for a comprehensive package of improvements to buses, rail
services, walking and cycling measures, as well as money to fund a weight
restriction trial on the A628. The Sustainable Transport Fund is a £560
million pot of money available to local councils for projects “that
support economic growth and reduce carbon in their communities as well
as delivering cleaner environments, improved safety and increased levels
of physical activity.” [4]
Notes for Editors:
[1] Save Swallow’s Wood is a group based in Glossop and Longdendale campaigning for transport improvements and against the Mottram bypass. For more information, visit http://www.saveswallowswood.org.uk
[2] http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1346495_motorway_work_to_go_ahead_but_500m_road_schemes_stalled
[3] http://www.tameside.gov.uk/lits/summary
[4] http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=415581&SubjectId=2