
“On Sunday, [ 26th Jan] ahead of her speech this week on economic growth, Rachel Reeves announced that when developers submit an application for schemes in “key areas” such as locations near commuter transport hubs, the default answer will be ‘yes’. Speaking to The Guardian, she said a “zoning scheme” – in which the presumption would be in favour of development in those areas – would form part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The aim of the plans is to unlock more housing at a greater density in areas “central to local communities”. The government said the measures will “transform communities, with more shops and homes nearer to the transport hubs that working people rely on day in, day out””.
Anyone hearing or reading about this could be forgiven for thinking that such rail links would enable residents to travel to major cities for work in a sustainable way. After all what could be more environmentally desirable? A short trip to the rail hub and then zoom off to that well paid job. Ticks all the boxes for sustainability and economic growth. Who could object – not even the bats and newts!
But It turns out its all based on a rather large myth. Far from rail travel being a major or even significant element of travel in such towns it is minimal, instead the main mode of transport is the car. The 2011 figures are more relevant as the 2021 figures were affected by covid lockdowns.
% of residents in work travelling by car | |||
2011 | 2021 | ||
Abingdon | Cambridgeshire | 1.6 | 0.5 |
Great Shelford | Cambridgeshire | 5.3 | 1.2 |
Biggleswade | Bedfordshire | 7.9 | 2.7 |
Ivybridge | Devon | 0.9 | 0.2 |
Farnborough | Hampshire | 6.8 | 1.9 |
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