Traffic in Manchester is a 'disease'
A study found that the average traffic speed in Manchester is less than 10mph
Road congestion in Manchester is a disease'' which has brought average traffic speeds to below 10mph, a campaign group has claimed.
The study by Greener Journeys warned that traffic is reaching saturation point'' and it claims buses have been particularly badly hit, with some routes reduced towalking pace''.
Professor David Begg, former chairman of the Government's Commission for Integrated Transport, claimed that bus journey times are increasing by 10% per decade. He added that the future of bus travel would also be under threat as passenger numbers will drop by between 10% and 14% every decade.
Traffic congestion is a disease which if left unchecked will destroy the bus sector,'' Prof Begg said.
If the trend is allowed to continue then our urban buses will no longer represent a viable mode of transport for the majority of customers.
We have to change travel behaviour. If we don't try to influence people's travel choices, it will mean that we all have no choice but to sit in ever increasing traffic jams.''
The study found that the average traffic speed in Manchester and London is less than 10mph.
Claire Haigh, chief executive of Greener Journeys, said: This report highlights the shocking growth in congestion blighting major cities across Britain, and particularly the heavy toll it is taking on the bus sector which is vital to our economy and our society.
A fully loaded double decker bus can take 75 cars off the road. Giving buses more priority on the roads and introducing contactless payments would make journeys faster and more reliable, encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and easing traffic to benefit all road users.''
PL