Transport Fund for Parks a win-win for all

Responding to the Government’s consultation on its emerging national transport strategy, the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) has called on the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, to provide dedicated funding to support sustainable transport for England’s National Parks. If the call is heeded millions of people could benefit from a range of new transport initiatives in the Parks, as well as improvements to existing services. This would lead to more frequent and integrated public transport, better quality and more extensive facilities for cyclists and walkers, well-located ‘Park and Ride’ schemes, and community transport services. National Park and transport authorities would also be able to test and establish new ways of managing traffic and expand existing work to protect the character of rural roads and their surrounds.

“Millions of people visit the Parks every year and this should continue to be encouraged”, Alex Thursby, CNP’s transport campaigner, says. “However, a staggering 90 per cent of visitors arrive by car, and residents are also highly dependent on using their own vehicles for day to day travel. High traffic levels have a major impact on the National Park environment, and no one enjoys being stuck in traffic – let alone having an otherwise peaceful walk or picnic destroyed by the noise and pollution that inevitably come with overloaded roads”, she continues.

By committing to a fund, the Government would give real substance to its own policies in relation to transport and to National Parks, as well as contributing to recently announced carbon reduction targets, better health outcomes and greater social equality. The Department for Transport’s national transport strategy recognises the need for a major shift in travel behaviour by everyone, with much less reliance on cars and much greater use of buses, trains, cycling and walking. The protected status of National Parks also demands that all sources of potential harm to their special qualities, including from traffic, be minimised. Both of these objectives could be progressed by ensuring that there is a comprehensive network of convenient and affordable alternatives to the car for getting to and moving around the Parks.

Building on the success of the Government’s Sustainable Travel Towns, CNP is calling on the Government to fund one or more ‘Sustainable Travel National Parks’ at a rate of £1m per year for five years, with measures aimed at tackling the particular transport issues that those National Parks face. National Parks should be exemplars of sustainable transport provision – providing replicable and adaptable sustainable transport models for use throughout the National Parks and beyond, in other rural settings, visitor hot-spots and protected areas. Funding would help in sharing lessons learnt with all decision-makers who face the same or similar challenges in rural, protected area or visitor transport provision.

“The special qualities of the National Parks, their national significance and the seriousness of the threat posed to them by unsustainable transport justifies treating them exceptionally”, Alex Thursby concluded. “Sustainable transport and traffic management within National Parks should be afforded the highest priority and resourced properly if it is to contribute to protecting, rather than threatening, these economically valuable and environmentally invaluable landscapes. With this year being the 60th anniversary of the legislation that enabled the Parks to come into being, the Government has the perfect opportunity to confirm its commitment to the Parks’ protection.”

Notes to editors
1. CNP campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

2. National Parks have two statutory purposes, as set down in section 5 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (and amended by section 61 of the Environment Act 1995):

• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks; and
• To promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks. 

A wide range of public bodies, including local authorities and local transport authorities, must take the two purposes into consideration when making decisions that could affect the National Parks.

3. The Government has confirmed that National Parks have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty and there is a presumption against major developments, such as new roads, taking place within these areas (Planning Policy Statement 7, paras 21-23).

4. The Department for Transport published Towards a Sustainable Transport System, a draft national strategy for transport, in October 2007 and Delivering a Sustainable Transport System, setting out how the national strategy will be delivered, in November 2008.

5. More information on the government-funded Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns can be found at www.dft.gov.uk, as well as at individual area websites for Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester.

6. The letter to the Secretary of State together with a detailed paper outlining the rationale for CNP’s call on the Government to fund sustainable transport in the National Parks is available from the CNP office.

Contact:
Alex Thursby, 020 7924 4077 ext 232