Preferred Options

We are pleased to see that the council supports the reduction of carbon emissions, but are disappointed that there is no overall target. Surely this plan should be in line with the agreed national target in the 2008 Climate Change Act of 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. It is clear that the proposals contained in this local plan are hopelessly inadequate regarding climate change.

It is great that the plan claims to advocate reducing the need to travel and promoting walking, cycling and public transport. Unfortunately the plan actually does the direct opposite:
* Extra homes will increase the number of commuters out of the district and so increase travel
* Locating extra houses on greenfield sites necessitates more travel: homes should be built in urban centres, instead
* Promoting 'park and ride' increases travel (and usually is financially disastrous!)
* The proposed highway 'improvements' are designed to increase the volume of traffic and hence carbon emissions.

Serious money to improve facilities for walking and cycling are required, instead of this plan to increase motorised transport.