Defining a Vision for 2030
Transport is responsible for around 1.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions in Dorset every year, around 40% of the total, making it our biggest challenge in becoming a zero-carbon county. However, the notion that we can simply change every vehicle to an electric one ignores the wider impact our car-centric culture is having on environmental breakdown. Even if we can power the grid with 100% renewables, the damage caused through the extraction of materials and production processes for new electric ones is a major concern, not to mention the negative impact congestion has on human health, wellbeing and the local economy[1].
Tackling our transport issues also opens up exciting opportunities, as Paul Chatterton sets out in ‘Unlocking Sustainable Cities’[2], “Debating how city dwellers undertake the mundane and taken for granted task of getting around opens up further conversations about how we see ourselves and our fellow citizens, where and how we work, shop and play, the health of our children, how safe we feel, what we can afford and our impact on air, climate and water systems”.
[1] https://www.sustrans.org.uk/media/5501/final-reducing-car-use-report.pdf
[2] Unlocking Sustainable Cities. Paul Chatterton. Pluto Press 2019. ISBN 978 0 7453 3701 2.
In 2030…
Within our town centres moving around is cheap and easy using a combination of walking, cycling and free public transport. The nature of work and access to core services have reduced the need to travel, with high-quality broadband supplied to every home and most daily needs available within 15 minutes active travel. Good-quality shops and public services are available locally to all, reducing the need to get in the car for life’s essentials.
Through effective public transport provision, town centres are better connected to suburbs and each other. Specific provision has been made to ensure rural communities are well served. Rail services have been extended, joined up and enjoy clear, timely connections with other transport networks. Cycle lanes are fully separated and form a comprehensive network within and between towns and 90% of children walk to school. Cars are needed much less frequently and journeys for work and leisure, along with the transportation of goods and services, are made by vehicles powered by renewables. Streets are shared by all users and are safer and cleaner. Many enjoy completely car-free lives. Dorset has been freed from the domination of the car.
Tackling our transport issues also opens up exciting opportunities, as Paul Chatterton sets out in ‘Unlocking Sustainable Cities’[2], “Debating how city dwellers undertake the mundane and taken for granted task of getting around opens up further conversations about how we see ourselves and our fellow citizens, where and how we work, shop and play, the health of our children, how safe we feel, what we can afford and our impact on air, climate and water systems”.
[1] https://www.sustrans.org.uk/media/5501/final-reducing-car-use-report.pdf
[2] Unlocking Sustainable Cities. Paul Chatterton. Pluto Press 2019. ISBN 978 0 7453 3701 2.
In 2030…
Within our town centres moving around is cheap and easy using a combination of walking, cycling and free public transport. The nature of work and access to core services have reduced the need to travel, with high-quality broadband supplied to every home and most daily needs available within 15 minutes active travel. Good-quality shops and public services are available locally to all, reducing the need to get in the car for life’s essentials.
Through effective public transport provision, town centres are better connected to suburbs and each other. Specific provision has been made to ensure rural communities are well served. Rail services have been extended, joined up and enjoy clear, timely connections with other transport networks. Cycle lanes are fully separated and form a comprehensive network within and between towns and 90% of children walk to school. Cars are needed much less frequently and journeys for work and leisure, along with the transportation of goods and services, are made by vehicles powered by renewables. Streets are shared by all users and are safer and cleaner. Many enjoy completely car-free lives. Dorset has been freed from the domination of the car.