Trafford Green Party

This is a local policy statement, produced by Trafford Green Party. It reflects national Green Party policy on transport and focuses on specific areas for local action in Trafford.

We recognise the positive aspects of the second Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan with a focus on measures to increase walking, cycling and the use of buses BUT the overall targets are weak - ‘No significant worsening in congestion, and area wide traffic flow growth on local roads of no more than 2%’ – is not good enough.

Our transport policy focuses around reducing car use - cutting the number and length of car journeys and switching to more sustainable ways of getting around – walking, cycling and public transport.

A much higher priority needs to be given to pedestrians and cyclists. Public transport needs to be reliable, accessible, affordable and integrated – it needs to become the easy option. We can drive these changes by developing local action plans, specifying planning priorities, introducing taxation measures and making sure we retain and develop the provision of local services. Like most Green policies this works on a number of levels – the presence of more pedestrians and cyclists accessing local facilities also reduces crime, building safer, healthier communities.

In principle support policies such as congestion charging provided there was sufficient investment in public transport in advance of implementation.
Lobby for public ownership of public transport.
Introduce priority measures for buses.
Introduce family bus tickets to make bus travel an affordable option for families.
Develop a network of safe cycle routes both on and off-road.
Integrate cycling and public transport and enable bikes to be taken on trains and trams.
Improve cycle parking facilities – make more widespread and more visible with better signage.
Provide access for cycling training - both use and maintenance.
Ensure Safe Routes to all Trafford schools.
Ensure all schools have active School Travel Plans that apply to staff as well as pupils.
Work with local business to develop green commuter plans starting with the Council developing a plan for its own workers. Satisfactory green commuter plans would be a requirement for any new development. Taxation of workplace parking places could be considered.
Promote car-sharing schemes and car clubs

PLANNING PRIORITIES

Favour mixed-use development to reduce commuting.
Plan for more Home Zones – giving cars less priority in residential areas.
Ensure provision of car sharing facilities in new housing developments and a proportion of car-free development.
Ensure new facilities are sited close to good public transport links (as with Altrincham ice-rink).
Increase pedestrianised areas.
Retain and develop local services reducing the need to travel.
Progressively reduce parking provision in town centres.
Protect disused railway trackbeds from being built across to allow to allow them to be held in reserve for re-use for rail and/or cycle tracks.

Some of the action points are also relevant here, especially regarding cycle paths and Safe Routes to schools.

The Green Party seeks a reduction in the amount and impact of air transport. See our response to Manchester Airport’s master plan here.