Travelwise
Transport: problems and solutions
Traffic in Walsall is a problem. Rising peak period congestion hampers our ability to compete nationally, regionally and locally in order to improve the Borough's economy. Rising levels of car use also produce a range of associated problems such as accidents, air pollution, community severance and social exclusion for people who have no access to cars.
The problem is not unique to Walsall, under-investment in transport is a national problem, but it has a unique impact on Walsall because of our location at the centre of the transport network.
The solution is a change in planning policy based on an integrated transport network and investment in transport. A new approach to network management across the West Midlands will benefit all forms of transport including cars, buses, freight, walking and bicycles. There has been investment in new infrastructure such as Walsall's Bus Showcase Routes, and the proposed Town Centre Transport Package (TCTP), Red Routes and Darlaston Strategic Development Area (SDA) Access Project.
Infrastructure will not solve the problem alone; we must also change our travel habits. The car is essential for some journeys, but we need to consider our transport choices much more. The decisions we make everyday about how we travel have implications for our health, the quality of the air we breathe, and the environment. Is the car the best option for the Sunday morning visit to the newsagent? Could we car share with colleagues or use public transport to travel to work? Could we walk our children to school more often?