Traffic jam: Ten years of 'sustainable' transport in the UK

by Iain Docherty (Editor), Jon Shaw (Editor)

Overview

This informed and lively book offers a timely analysis of the UK government's sustainable - or subsequently 'integrated' - transport policy 10 years after the publication of "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone". Written by prominent transport experts and with a foreword by Christian Wolmar, the book identifies the modest successes and, sadly, the far more significant failures in government policy over the last decade. The authors also uncover why it has proved so difficult to adopt a more sustainable approach to transport and break Britain's love-affair with the car. The book reviews the links between the idea of sustainability and transport policy, and provides an up-to-the-minute analysis of the political realities surrounding the delivery of a sustainable transport agenda in the UK. It picks up on the principal components of "A New Deal for Transport" and evaluates to what extent these have, or haven't, been delivered in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The contributors analyse why delivering sustainable transport policies seems to present particular difficulties to ministers across the UK, and considers the UK's experience in an international perspective. The book draws lessons from the last 10 years in order to better inform future policy development.  "Traffic Jam" is an indispensable analysis of the difficulties involved in turning policy ideals into practical reality, and as such will be of interest to scholars, students, planners, policy analysts and policy makers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847420732
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	10/27/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Iain Docherty is a senior lecturer in the Department of Management at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the Transport Geography Research Group of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). His research focuses on the impacts of political systems and structures of governance on urban policy and city development strategies. Jon Shaw is Reader in Human Geography and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Transport at the University of Plymouth. He is also the UK and Ireland Associate Editor of the "Journal of Transport Geography". His research focuses on issues associated with mobility, accessibility, and transport policy and governance.

Table of Contents

Part One: Policy and politics: New deal or no new deal? A decade of 'sustainable' transport in the UK ~ Jon Shaw and Iain Docherty; Devolution and the UK's new transport policy landscape ~ Danny MacKinnon and Geoff Vigar; Part Two: Progress in policy implementation: Roads and traffic: from 'predict and provide' to 'making best use' ~ Graham Parkhurst and Geoff Dudley; Is Labour delivering a sustainable railway? ~ John Preston; Buses and light rail: stalled en route? ~ Richard D. Knowles and Pedro Abrantes; Walking and cycling: easy wins for a sustainable transport policy? ~ Rodney Tolley; UK air travel: taking off for growth? ~ Brian Graham; Economic versus environmental sustainability for ports and shipping: charting a new course? ~ David Pinder; Part Three: Ten years since A new deal for transport: signposts to the UK's transport future? Transport for London: success despite Westminster? ~ Peter White; Mind the gap! The UK's record in European perspective ~ Tom Rye; Traffic jam? Policy debates after 10 years of 'sustainable' transport ~ Phil Goodwin.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A rigorous, candid and thoughtfully edited account of the policies and politics of a decade in transport. Essential reading for new ministers and scholars alike if our pursuit of a more sustainable future is to progress." Glenn Lyons, Professor of Transport & Society, University of the West of England

Editorial Reviews

A rigorous, candid and thoughtfully edited account of the policies and politics of a decade in transport. Essential reading for new ministers and scholars alike if our pursuit of a more sustainable future is to progress. Glenn Lyons, Professor of Transport & Society, University of the West of England


A pungent analysis that slices apart the last ten years' transport policy. The authors intend it to make waves and it will. Required reading for an incoming government. Jim Steer, Director, Steer Davies Gleave


I find that this is essential reading for those who want to be informed about the mechanisms of transport policy delivery within the UK, and about the relevant environmental, social and economic impacts. Sofia Campo, Environment and Planning B


This well structured and firmly edited book draw on the expertise of no fewer that 16 contributors (including the editors themselves) to analyse the development and implementation of a 'sustainable' transport policy through the ten years following the publication in 1998 of the New Labour government's White Paper. Handley Stevens, Public Administration

From the Publisher