Futurology of Transport
| Published date | 01 July 1973 |
| Author | Paul Harris |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7304600311 |
| Date | 01 July 1973 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
CHIEF
INSPECTOR
PAUL
HARRIS
Somerset and Bath Constabulary
Motoring Correspondent of The Police Journal
FUTUROLOGY OF TRANSPORT
Twelve months ago I mentioned Government concern in regard
to urban congestion and highlighted some of the solutions which
were being considered. All were severely restrictive in relation to
the overused term of liberty of the subject, but it is a return to
basics which provides the lead to our continued survival. Legisla-
tion for the public good must take priority over the desires and
conveniences of the individual.
Strong lobbies in past years have required
that
solutions to
traffic problems must be palatable. This is just a
part
of the British
way of life and accounts in some measure for the conclusion that
office shelves are full of plans and urban streets are full of con-
gestion. There are now increasing signs that plans are being dusted
off and the private motor car is nearing the end of its days of
complete freedom.
The first indication comes, not unnaturally, from the Greater
London Council, who have plans to license all central area public
car parks by 1974. Once these are implemented, only cars which
possess a supplementary licence will be allowed into the central
area. This move was linked with the construction of Ringway One,
but now that the new G.L.C. has been elected some changes have
already been announced which are likely to speed up control of
private cars. Hand in hand with these controls come measures to
streamline routes to make buses more acceptable as an alternative
transport system. These include a target of 120 bus lanes by late
1974, phasing of automatic traffic signals in favour of buses, park-
ing bans at bus stops and probably more bus and taxi streets, like
Oxford Street. Computerized operation of buses and routes will
follow. Superimposed on these developments, the next 12-18
months will see a comprehensive study by the Department of the
Environment. This will assess the effects of alternative restraint
methods - comprehensive parking control and charging policy,
road pricing, supplementary licensing and physical planning.
Are such drastic measures necessary? In a modern society people
must move and move much more quickly than by walking. People
must come together to satisfy the needs of skills, services and
interests for continued development. Movements of large numbers
of people at similar times create conflicts and intrusions. These
include noise and atmosphere pollution, high accident rates, costly
congestion and the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. Con-
sequently demands for all road space are great and come from
July 1973 280
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