Drivers in the West Midlands say that transport is a more serious issue for the region than health or education and want tackling congestion to be a top priority, new research shows.

A survey of drivers in the region shows nine in 10 think congestion has got worse in the last few years, with the growing volume of traffic on the road seen as the key cause. 

The new findings come on the same day the seven Metropolitan Authorities and public transport body Centro-PTA have joined together to submit the latest version of the West Midlands’ Local Transport Plan (LTP) to government. The LTP sets out a £1.27bn package of measures to reduce traffic congestion, improve public transport and make the best use of the roads and rail network. It is the document used by government to decide future levels of transport funding.

Cllr Roger Lawrence, the West Midlands’ Transport Champion, said: ‘West Midlands’ drivers are telling us congestion is getting worse. Their views confirm the challenge we face.  More and more cars are using our roads and the region is predicted to have to cope with more than 165 million extra journeys by 2011. If we don’t address this, gridlock looms. It’s why we’ve started a process of debate, consultation and research to look longer term at all the potential solutions to our traffic problems.

He added: ‘Today we have also submitted a new version of the West Midlands’ Local Transport Plan to government. The conurbation needs a step-change in its transport system, and the investment to deliver this. If not, growth will be choked, regeneration stalled and our quality of life threatened. The LTP is an agreed package of transport improvements for the next six years which will revitalise the region’s transport infrastructure and cut congestion. We want everyone in the West Midlands behind the plan, and we want government to back it as well. A billion pounds of government investment is at stake, as well as the future prospects of the region.’

The new research was carried out through detailed interviews with 300 drivers in May and June of this year. The key findings are:

• 90 per cent of West Midlands’ drivers think congestion has got worse in the last few years
• The key cause is seen as the growing volume of traffic on the road (66 per cent)
• 69 per cent of drivers regard transport as a serious issue for the West Midlands (second only to crime, on a par with environment and ahead of health, education and housing)
• 79 per cent of drivers think tackling road congestion should be an important transport priority
• Half of drivers (50 per cent) see congestion as a big personal problem

The new Local Transport Plan, submitted to government today, includes proposals to expand the Midland Metro tram system from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, via Dudley, and from Snow Hill to Five Ways in central Birmingham.

Buses remain the dominant mode of public transport and improvements are vital if more people are to have a choice about how they travel. Better bus services are at the heart of the draft plan, including more Bus Quality Networks (in east Birmingham), introduction of Bus Rapid Transit and bringing more bus routes up to Showcase standard.

Other measures in the LTP include:

• Red Routes – A 261-mile (419km) network of major roads to help traffic flow more freely and increase road capacity by 10 per cent, by tackling inconsiderate stopping and providing strictly controlled parking and loading to protect local traders.
• Smarter Choices – Campaigns to inform people about travel choices and ways to minimise congestion and environmental impact.
• Junction Improvements – Upgrades to traffic signals at key junctions to increase overall road efficiency.
• Traffic Managers – New traffic managers appointed by the seven metropolitan authorities is to improve highway efficiency for all users.
• Park & Ride – Expansion of existing sites, improvements to meet local demand, and the development of new facilities.

Today’s document builds on the strategy first set out in 2003. It highlights progress on key projects including:

• Regeneration – A £14.5m (£14m LTP funding) scheme in Darlaston delivering key road improvements to greatly improve access to this regeneration area.
• Public transport – The £42m (£28m LTP funding) Primelines bus network in Coventry is delivering a more reliable and accessible bus service.
• Improving access to local centres – Local centres like Brierley Hill’s £35m (£25m LTP funding) improvement scheme will be easier to get to thanks to better roads and traffic management.

Business and environment groups in the conurbation have backed the thrust of the LTP, and called for action on congestion.

Jerry Blackett, Chair of the West Midlands’ Business Transport Group said today: ‘Congestion in the West Midlands is costing business around £2.8bn every year. Delivering free-flowing roads is vital, as is building a world-class public transport system. Business welcomes the road improvements identified in the LTP in particular and we are heartened by an increasing willingness of local authorities to work with us on ensuring the transport needs of business are met. We back the LTP and the important declaration of intent by the Metropolitan Authorities on congestion.’

He added: ‘We now want government to recognise how crucial transport in the West Midlands is to the national network, and we want the authorities to follow up and deal with congestion. Both are vital to maintain and expand the competitiveness of not just the West Midlands but also UK plc.’

Gerald Kells, West Midlands’ spokesperson for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: 'We cannot allow traffic growth to continue in a way which will stifle the conurbation. Not only does the environment and the economy suffer but the less well off in particular find they have poorer and poorer access to services. CPRE welcomes the emphasis on public transport in this LTP, but we also recognise that it will be a long slog and that it will be essential that everyone gets involved in the development of a more sustainable transport policy.’

Click on the download button below for a PDF document of the plan submitted on 29 July 2005
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