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Meanwhile, England Plans to Build Roads and Cut Rail

01 Jan 2003

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Some British officials say the country's ten-year plan to cut traffic congestion is in shambles. After Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced a plan that includes £3 billion to build 200 miles of new roads and only two transit projects, the Government has indicated it may decrease its contribution to the country's transit system by up to 20 percent.

The Strategic Rail Authority, which oversees Britain’s private passenger rail franchises, has asked contractors to submit budgets assuming a 20 percent cut in government contributions. The funding reduction would stop plans for service improvements and could lead to large service reductions and a fare increase. Service cuts could come as early as next spring, just months after London’s congestion pricing scheme, which is expected to encourage transit use, is introduced.

More info is available from Transport 2000, which campaigns for sustainable transportation policies in the UK.