Clean Air and Transport

A radical overhaul in the transport sector is needed to limit air pollution and speedily reduce CO2 emissions, The Greens would revolutionise transport by ending the dependence on carbon, using clean energy alternatives and investing in public transport and active travel. Important Green Party areas of focus within clean air are: 

 Investing in public transport

• Making public transport cheaper would encourage people to get out of their cars and into electric trains and buses.
• We would create a golden age of train travel by improving journey times and frequencies, particularly enhancing capacity in North to level up the economy there. In Uttlesford we need clean transport options from Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport to Dunmow and Braintree.
• The Greens would invest in high-quality walking and cycling routes in new housing developments so residents can access local services and shops without the need for a car.

Clean energy alternatives 

• The Greens would incentivise the replacement of diesel and petrol vehicles with electric ones - our priority is reducing the number of vehicles on our roads and the carbon emissions. In rural Uttlesford, public transport is a poor option, but creating a network of cycle paths would give people a sustainable option for electric bikes and mobility scooters.
• Further reduction in road traffic will result from enabling people to work from home with teleconferencing and more car club schemes.

Power to local authorities

• Local authorities would control bus services and be supported to open new bus and minibus routes. We need contactless, transferable ticketing and electronic displays on every bus stop.
• The responsibility of running short-distance passenger rail franchises would be given to councils, meaning local communities have a greater say in the running of the services they depend on.
• Introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods would further decrease carbon emissions.

Cycling

• Identify and prioritise further cycling routes throughout the district, including safe links between villages and cycle lanes which run contra one-way systems in towns, allowing direct routes for active travel.
• Explore cycle lanes on farmland and disused railway tracks such as the Flitch Way, Saffron Walden to Ashdon, Bartlow, Linton and Cambridge.
• Build safe School Cycle Routes.

Walking

• New developments should prioritise walking so that all facilities can be easily reached by walkers, parents with prams, children and the elderly. Benches should be included in the design for the elderly, as should toilet facilities.
• New developments in towns and villages should be based on the 15 minute rule: all facilities are within a 15 minute walk of residential areas, promoting active travel, health and social interaction.