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While it may not be a U-turn, it is true that the Government's transport policy has evolved since the 10-Year Plan. As we move through the 10 years, situations and targets change, and studies begin to publish their findings. It is therefore necessary for the transport policy to be updated to incorporate these new developments. One document outlining some of these changes entitled "Managing Our Roads" was published in July 2003. Compare the proposals contained in this document to those of the 10-Year Plan.

 Typical Road Construction Equipment

Operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network (the motorways and trunk roads) of England is the responsibility of the Highways Agency, an Executive Agency of the DfT.

Roads are always given a bad press. It must be remembered however that they can bring advantages for the economy, our life-styles, and even the environment. The government's current planning process requires roads to have a positive effect on the environment if they are to be built. Consider the following points:

• Think of the M25 orbital motorway around London. Imagine all that traffic having to travel on unsuitable roads in the city centre.
• Is a modern, dual carriageway road, designed to modern safety standards with smooth curves better than a narrow, tight, single carriageway passing through a small village?
• What if you lived in a village which had a major road passing through it, and had to endure endless traffic noise, pollution and safety problems?
• If the environment is considered during planning, the impact of a road can be minimal. (Tree planting, tunnels, landscaping etc).
• Consider that it now takes only 3 hours to travel from London to Manchester by M1 and M6, whereas previously it took nearer 5 hours. Motorways have transformed journey times.
• Would the economy of the country be the same without a good quality motorway and trunk road network, and would congestion problems be worse, not better?
• Are the environmentalists justified in their criticism of road building schemes, or would a bypass for a medium sized town bring benefits for all?

For more views on the pros and cons of road building, look at the sites below:

• Huge roads scheme for England, BBC News Article
• Motorway widening ‘will not solve congestion’, Transport 2000 News Article

In this topic...

	topic overview
	introduction
	benefits of road building
	useful links
	exam-style questions

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Transport Issues

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