KEYNOTE STAGE SPONSOR

Roads and environment – are we nearly there yet? Stephen Joseph

Life as a campaigner Archway Road widening, 1970s Volunteer at Conservation Council for Victoria, Australia, 1985-6, supporting anti-freeway campaign Chief Executive Transport 2000/ Campaign for Better Transport, 1988-2018 Transport policy consultant and trustee of Foundation for Integrated Transport

Impacts of roads on the environment Landscape: impacts on valued landscapes and places Biodiversity: impacts on important wildlife sites Increased traffic – noise, intrusion and pollution Associated development, especially new housing Climate change: new roads and extra traffic add to carbon emissions

Progress? Building things right… More acceptance of tunnelling (M3 vs A3) Green bridges Better landscaping and road management Designated funds for environment including green retrofits But scheme design still ruled by Benefit Cost Ratios rather than placemaking – landscape and biodiversity traded off against small time savings

… building the right things Huge spending on Strategic Road Network in RIS 2 Limited spending on everything else: funding for local transport (outside a few cities) limited to non-existent New roads + new housing = car dependence So big SRN investment will speed up journeys between worsening traffic jams Over-reliance on technology (electric, autonomous vehicles)

Ways forward Better planning: scenarios not forecasts, multi-modal not roads-based, real data not models Better spending: packages not schemes, support alternatives to single-occupancy car travel Place-making not just BCRs Green retrofit not just big new schemes Integration not just roads and cars Technology as servant not master

For more information stephenfwjoseph@gmail.com 07511 054259 @StephenJoseph7 Also see www. bettertransport.org.uk

KEYNOTE STAGE SPONSOR