Birmingham city council have released their 2020 transport plan which aims to make the city more environmentally sustainable. The plan includes a ban on private cars making ‘through journeys’ in the city.
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The plan sets out that the allocation of road space will change away from single occupancy private cars to support the delivery of a public transport system. This aims to change the way that people and goods move around the city.
The council aims to transform the city centre with the creation of a network of pedestrian streets and public spaces integrated with public transport services and cycling infrastructure. Access to the city centre for private cars will be limited with no through trips. This includes looking at different options for the central section of the A38 including re-routing it to an upgraded ring road.
The plan prioritises active travel and aims for most local trips to be made by walking or cycling. This will reduce the number of cars around homes and schools. A limit of 20mph will be standard on all local roads.
The plan uses parking to manage demand for travel by car through availability, pricing and restrictions. Land that is currently used for car parking could be used for development in the future.
The travel plan is the council’s response to a "final warning" to improve its air quality, the council also plan to introduce a clean-air zone later this year.
Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet member for transport and the environment, Birmingham city council, said: "The more journeys we take by walking and cycling, the more we will improve air quality and our health and the more we will reduce congestion."
However, critics are concerned that business will be hit hard, and that for the motorist - already braced for a Clean Air Charge and a workplace parking tax - it's a move that's too big to stomach.
Read the full transport plan here.
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