Road costs continue to escalate, with the projected cost for the Tyne road tunnel going up from £l30m to £300m.
The Targeted Programme of Investment (TPI) now extends to 140 road schemes and is projected to cost £8.3bn.
A decision on the A303 Blackdown Hills proposals is now expected in July.
Transport 2000's Stephen Joseph mentioned a proposal made to the Highways Agency to design some road schemes for lower speeds to reduce emissions and this idea will be presented to Transport Minister Tony McNulty.
An environmental assessment has come out in support of Alistair Darling’s decision not to approve dualling the A47 Acle Straight in the Norfolk Broads.
Proposals for a Westbury bypass to the east of the town have been opposed as most industrial activity and the railway station is to the west. It has also been pointed out that a rail freight facility would have to be located to the west. This is an issue that could be pursued by Railfuture Wessex branch.
Opposition to put a road on the proposed barrage across Morecambe Bay is building. The barrage is also intended to accommodate a wind farm.
A TAR group will visit the Department for Transport for a pre-consultation draft of the Local Transport plan guidance review.
150 MPs have signed the early day motion in support of the walking and cycling campaign. The Government seems to be warming to promoting walking and cycling.
It now seems likely the Countryside Agency will not be wound up before 2008.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are thought to be at odds over the budgeted increase of 1.9p on road fuel duty in September. It was noted the Government had not had second thoughts over the recent increases in rail fuel duty totalling 3.49p per litre since April 2003!
lO Year Plan/Whitehall Update: The spending review has been delayed to 12 July 2004, the rail review is due in the first week of July and the road user charging feasibility study should appear in mid July. The 10 Year plan will now include soft measures but the review has been delayed until the autumn at least and will now look at a 30-year horizon.
The Way to Go early day motion now has 167 signatures. SERA MPs have met Gordon Brown to discuss aspects of this campaign. The Treasury has acknowledged the measures proposed would contribute to traffic reduction at significantly less cost than road building while aiding health and obesity issues as well.
Concern was expressed that the rail review is likely to herald service cuts and closures. Responsibility for local services will be devolved to local authorities and it is feared this may be a move to separate the Government from blame for service cuts.
An aviation taxation group is to meet with the Treasury.
Norman Bradbury
30/6/04
The Targeted Programme of Investment (TPI) now extends to 140 road schemes and is projected to cost £8.3bn.
A decision on the A303 Blackdown Hills proposals is now expected in July.
Transport 2000's Stephen Joseph mentioned a proposal made to the Highways Agency to design some road schemes for lower speeds to reduce emissions and this idea will be presented to Transport Minister Tony McNulty.
An environmental assessment has come out in support of Alistair Darling’s decision not to approve dualling the A47 Acle Straight in the Norfolk Broads.
Proposals for a Westbury bypass to the east of the town have been opposed as most industrial activity and the railway station is to the west. It has also been pointed out that a rail freight facility would have to be located to the west. This is an issue that could be pursued by Railfuture Wessex branch.
Opposition to put a road on the proposed barrage across Morecambe Bay is building. The barrage is also intended to accommodate a wind farm.
A TAR group will visit the Department for Transport for a pre-consultation draft of the Local Transport plan guidance review.
150 MPs have signed the early day motion in support of the walking and cycling campaign. The Government seems to be warming to promoting walking and cycling.
It now seems likely the Countryside Agency will not be wound up before 2008.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are thought to be at odds over the budgeted increase of 1.9p on road fuel duty in September. It was noted the Government had not had second thoughts over the recent increases in rail fuel duty totalling 3.49p per litre since April 2003!
lO Year Plan/Whitehall Update: The spending review has been delayed to 12 July 2004, the rail review is due in the first week of July and the road user charging feasibility study should appear in mid July. The 10 Year plan will now include soft measures but the review has been delayed until the autumn at least and will now look at a 30-year horizon.
The Way to Go early day motion now has 167 signatures. SERA MPs have met Gordon Brown to discuss aspects of this campaign. The Treasury has acknowledged the measures proposed would contribute to traffic reduction at significantly less cost than road building while aiding health and obesity issues as well.
Concern was expressed that the rail review is likely to herald service cuts and closures. Responsibility for local services will be devolved to local authorities and it is feared this may be a move to separate the Government from blame for service cuts.
An aviation taxation group is to meet with the Treasury.
Norman Bradbury
30/6/04