New roads 'will increase demand'

30/06/2022 | CHRIS AMES

The Government’s focus on electric vehicles has left it in denial about the role of road building in increasing traffic levels and carbon emissions, its official climate change advisers have warned.

In a new report to Parliament on Progress in reducing emissions, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said it had found 'major failures in delivery programmes towards the achievement of the UK’s climate goals'.

CCC chairman Lord Deben (pictured) said: 'The UK is a champion in setting new climate goals, now we must be world-beaters in delivering them.'

On surface transport, the CCC warned that despite a recent £3bn cut, the current Road Investment Strategy (RIS 2) ‘still provides considerable funding for new roads which will induce increased demand’.

It said that while the Department for Transport (DfT) has listed ‘Improved environmental outcomes’ as one of the objectives of RIS 3, ‘the scoping document does not explicitly acknowledge the role of road enhancements in inducing increased demand or the fact that a majority of cars driving during the RIS3 period will still be carbon-emitting’.

It warned: ‘Substantial investment in roadbuilding should only proceed if it can be justified how it fits within a broader suite of policies that are compatible with the UK’s Net Zero trajectory’.

The report notes that both the Scottish and Welsh devolved governments have recently committed to stop investing in roadbuilding to cater for unconstrained increases in traffic volumes.

It advises that in developing RIS 3 the DfT and National Highways ‘must ensure that induced demand and lifetime emissions impacts are adequately assessed’. It adds: ‘The strategy should not aim to cater for unconstrained growth in road traffic and must be compatible with Net Zero.’

The report describes the DfT’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, published last year, as ‘a positive step for the sector, setting out the Government’s vision for how the sector’s emissions can be abated’.

It praises the proposed Zero Emission Vehicle mandate and says that the recent Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, which sets out an ambition for at least 300,000 public charge points across the UK by 2030, ‘aligns with our assessment of how many will be needed’ and ‘presents a credible delivery plan for realising this scale-up’.

Regarding plans to decarbonise modes of transport, the report says the proposal to make Coventry the UK’s first zero-emission bus city ‘should be used as a learning opportunity to demonstrate and share best practice’ and that ministers need to set out a clear plan to achieve their aim of removing all diesel-only trains from the rail network by 2040.

On modal shift, the committee said that while the pandemic saw more people walking and cycling for leisure, ‘clearer policy and guidance will be needed to realise the opportunity to embed some of these positive shifts’.

It described recent commitments to significant investment to improving public transport provision as positive, but said ‘a more coherent vision for how these investments will work together to deliver an improved overall transport system is needed’.

Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, said: 'The latest report should be a wake up call for Government. It’s good that the Government has the ambition to deal with climate change, but this report lays bare the failures in delivery.

'While electrification of cars is going well, progress in other areas is poor. Without a strong commitment to traffic reduction and investment to enable a switch to walking, cycling and public transport, we’re going to fail in keeping the planet safe.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Senior Highways Network Technician - WMF2149e

£33,366 to £34,314
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Service Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW