Sustainable travel strategy out for public consultation

Posted May 2019

A strategy designed to pull together a number of actions aimed at reducing pollution generated by Newport’s transport network is now out for public consultation.

Cabinet member for Licensing and Regulation, Councillor Ray Truman, has given his approval so Newport City Council’s draft Sustainable Travel Strategy can take the next step.

The strategy will look at ways to encourage cycling and walking, suggest increasing electric vehicle charging points and give guidance on planning applications to ensure they all play a part in how the city’s transport network can improve public health, reduce pollution levels and limit the extent of global warming.

The support and the views of the public will be essential in helping to shape the strategy and the detailed plans that will follow.

The strategy is out for public consultation until 30 June. It can be viewed here . http://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Transport-Streets/Sustainable-travel.aspx

The strategy does not intend to set out detailed schemes but act as a starting point to develop localised plans which will complement each other.

To help shape this residents can also take part in a survey, visit http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/static/surveys/sustainable_travel_strategy.htm

With regard to air quality the council has already declared 11 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) across the city - areas where pollution exceeds air quality objectives – caused by excessive road traffic. AQMAs will be a focal point when developing the local plans.

Road traffic results in carbon dioxide emissions which is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

Road traffic results in carbon dioxide emissions which is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

To minimise the impact of climate change scientists have predicted we have 12 years to curb carbon dioxide emissions. 

With this in mind rather than just develop an Air Quality Action Plan to meet government legislation the council is planning to consult on the wider Sustainable Travel Strategy.