October 26, 2008 - GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS COMMUTERS TO DECADES OF MISERY
A leading industry body, Work Wise UK, said today that lack of government imagination and willpower will condemn commuters to decades of travel misery.
This follows the publishing of a highly critical report on transport policy by academics from Glasgow and Plymouth Universities*.
The report identifies the government’s failure over the past decade to cut congestion and increase green transport such as cycling and walking. Among its highlights is traffic congestion is worse, the railways have been starved of investment to increase capacity and cycling and walking generally neglected.
Its publishing also coincides with the beginning of Commute Smart Week, which aims to draw attention to how smarter working and commuting can reduce the negative economic, environmental and social impact of commuting.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, the event’s organiser, said: “The government has failed to push through policies offering a solution to our transport nightmare. Working and commuting smarter, through practices such as home, flexible working, cycling and car sharing will cut congestion, emissions and stress, boosting productivity and quality of life.
“The government’s lack lustre approach to smarter commuting and working has condemned commuters to decades of misery.”
Flexible working times (including flexitime, condensed hours and nine day fortnights), staggered journeys and part home working, reduce the overall need to commute, and allow people to avoid peak times.
Trying alternative ways of commuting, such as cycling or walking, can also help reduce congestion and public transport overcrowding, and at the same time significantly improve health and wellbeing.
The knock-on effect of reducing overall traffic congestion and public transport overcrowding by extending the rush hour and reducing peak demand through smarter working and commuting will make the daily commute more bearable for those workers who have no choice when and how to travel.
National Commute Smart Week this year has five themes, one for each weekday:
- Monday, October 26 - Flexible working and travel plans
- Tuesday, October 27 - Road congestion and road safety (including car sharing)
- Wednesday, October 28 - Cycling (why spend hours in the gym?)
- Thursday, October 29 - Walking (get off a stop or station early and walk)
- Friday, October 30 - Health benefits of smarter working and commuting
Further details about Work Wise UK can be found on the website (www.workwiseuk.org). There is also a dedicated pressroom available through the website or directly at www.workwiseuk.pressrooms.net.
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Issued on behalf of Work Wise UK by Chelgate Limited
Notes to editors:
- *Labour Transport Policy Failing http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7691514.stm For interviews please contact: Phil Flaxton on 07831112639 or Roy Turner, Chelgate PR, 020 7939 7939 or 07970 522 232 or rt@chelgate.com
- Work Wise UK is organised by the IT Forum Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation.
- Supporters of the Work Wise UK campaign include the CBI, TUC, the British Chambers of Commerce, BT, Transport for London, Equal Opportunities Commission, Scope, the RAC Foundation, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Technology Means Business, Henley Management College and the Association for Commuter Transport.
- A dedicated electronic media centre has been established for journalists to obtain further information, to download print-quality materials, and to register for media updates about Work Wise UK. This can be accessed either through the main website or directly at www.workwiseuk.pressrooms.net
- Further information about Work Wise UK can be found on the website www.workwiseuk.org.·
For further information and images, please contact:
Roy Turner,
Chelgate PR
020 7939 7939 or 07970 522232 or
rt@chelgate.com
Katie Daniels,
Chelgate PR
020 7939 7939 or
kd@chelgate.com