Blog ARCHIVE
The Great Train Robbery?
People are crying out for better transport choices across the country, whether it be better buses, reliable railways, or safer streets. They are also fed up with litter and potholes becoming an all too familiar sight. They want our roads and pavements kept in good order, as the polls keep...
Lower Thames Crossing construction traffic delays could top £1bn
Lower Thames Crossing construction traffic delays could top £1bn Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] has calculated that the cost of the delays caused by constructing the Lower Thames ‘smart’ motorway Crossing (LTC) [2] could be well over £1bn, based on the disruption caused by the controversial M25 Junction 10 scheme...
True cost of traffic delays from building major roads
There is concern that National Highways is routinely underestimating the impact and cost of delays caused by the construction of new road schemes. It does this to skew the business case and secure approval. When planning “enhancement” works on its network, National Highways is obliged, as with any other major...
Net zero undermined by DfT
As over 40% of all UK’s emissions down to transport Transport remains a huge problem when it comes to sector emissions in the UK, despite its full impact being underestimated. Since 1990, carbon emissions for domestic transport have only fallen by 13%, showing how woeful the Department for Transport’s (DfT)...
TAN will not legally challenge LTC planning consent
Transport Action Network will not legally challenge Lower Thames Crossing planning consent: Exposure of true costs will thwart new motorway. Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] is announcing today that it will not be judicially reviewing the UK Government’s approval of the Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames ‘smart’ motorway...
A bumpy road ahead?
In a volatile world where things are changing fast and the economic outcome is uncertain, now is the time to invest in resilience and looking after what we’ve got. And when we say resilience, we don’t mean an excuse to add another lane or build another road to cope with...
Government freewheeling on active travel as strategy expires
Government freewheeling on active travel as strategy expires England is without a cycling and walking strategy, for the first time since April 2017. Besides breaching the law, campaigners from Transport Action Network [1] say the lack of direction makes it ever more likely key government targets are set to be...
Fourth time lucky as nation’s roads rebrand to Great British Highways
Fourth time lucky as nation’s roads rebrand to Great British Highways A bold new identity is being revealed for England’s strategic roads company. Known previously as the Highways Agency, Highways England and then National Highways, Great British Highways will be the new name for the company that looks after motorways...
Northern tour an attempt to distract from LTC costs
Northern tour an attempt to distract from Lower Thames Crossing costs Transport Action Network’s (TAN’s) statement about the Prime Minister’s and Chancellor’s visit to the north today mostly recycling previous funding announcements [1]. This appears to be an attempt to distract from the billions of pounds of public funding that...
Approving mega-road is economic madness
Approving mega-road is economic madness Transport Action Network’s (TAN’s) reaction to the Government’s approval of the Lower Thames Crossing today ahead of the austerity Spring Statement tomorrow [1]. Chris Todd Director of TAN, said: "This is absolute madness. It’s a desperate decision to distract from the likely bad news in...
A hole that needs filling
Transport Action Network’s (TAN’s) response to the Prime Minister’s announcement today of more cash for roads [1]. Chris Todd Director of TAN, said: "While extra funding for maintenance is always welcome, the amount pledged this year is less than one tenth that is required to get our roads and pavements...
New road’s true costs hidden by National Highways
New road’s true costs hidden by National Highways Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] is shocked at the announcement today giving the go-ahead of the M3 Junction 9, another scheme in the South East. Costs have rocketed in just over two years, up by over a third, from £215m to £290m...
New south east transport strategy a masterclass in greenwashing
New south east transport strategy a masterclass in greenwashing Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] has branded Transport for the South East’s (TfSE) draft transport strategy [2] as a “masterclass in greenwashing” [3]. The consultation on the strategy ended on Friday. While welcoming some aspects of the strategy, TAN felt it...
Essex-Kent Superlinks
The Lower Thames Crossing would cost up to £16bn but the benefit would be just 5 years of congestion relief for road users at the Dartford Crossing. Can this really be the best option available? Well, guess what… Other options for crossing the Thames near Dartford had never been properly...
The Roberts Report
Jonathan Roberts Consulting explores the potential for better public transport options across the Thames eastwards from London to see what alternatives might be worthwhile to contrast against the largely car and lorry focused Lower Thames Crossing. Download Report
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