The
Campaign
for
Better
Transport


has
produced
a
manifesto
for
the
forthcoming
General
Election,
in
advance
of
manifestos
from
the
main
parties
being
published.

The
CBT
is
calling
on
the
next
government
to
make
investment
in
public
transport
a
priority,
as
well
as
routes
for
pedestrians
and
cyclists,
instead
of
building
more
roads.

It
also
wants
short-term
competitive
funding
for
local
transport
authorities
replaced
by
longer-term
funding
settlements
which
cover
all
transport
modes.

Other
ambitions
include
the
next
government
committing
itself
to
a
target
for
modal
shift
to
public
transport
and
active
travel,
reform
of
the
rail
ticketing
system,
progress
with
essential
rail
infrastructure
projects
and
only
building
new
roads
if
there
is
a
‘stringent’
reduction
of
emissions.

The
CBT
also
wants
minimum
bus
service
levels
and
a
reform
of
aviation
taxation,
including
a
kerosene
tax
and
reversing
the
cut
to
Air
Passenger
Duty
for
domestic
flights.

Silviya
Barrett
from
the
CBT
said:
‘Whatever
the
result
of
the
forthcoming
election,
we
need
to
ensure
that
creating
a
fairer,
more
sustainable
transport
system
is
top
of
the
agenda
for
the
next
government.

‘Prioritising
investment
in
public
transport,
shared
travel,
walking
and
cycling
with
a
commitment
to
reduce
the
number
of
car
journeys
should
be
a
priority,
for
the
sake
of
communities,
the
economy
and
the
planet.’