Within the outcomes of the public consultation exercise, there was an acceptance that some control of the use of the private motor car was required, provided that the alternatives described in the Widening Travel Choice section were in place. Therefore the Councils are putting in place measures to restrict unnecessary and (for road safety reasons) dangerous use of cars.

Intelligent Transport Systems

The use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) provides a high-tech opportunity to encourage public transport use and reduce the negative impacts of congestion and pollution on the environment, safety, economy and accessibility. However these systems are not a stand-alone solution to traffic problems, they are most effective when implemented with other highway improvements.

Click for Intelligent Transport Systems Map 5.3. (This will open in a new window.)

Road Safety

Road safety has a high priority within the programme and targets of the Councils within the conurbation. The road safety strategy will promote the strategic objective of a safe and healthy area by targeting highway improvement measures, which reduce the number and severity of accidents, particularly to vulnerable road users. It will focus strongly on child road safety - walkers, cyclists and car passengers. This will include work with schools and police to develop effective School Travel Plans that incorporate safer routes to school and structured road safety programmes.

Click here for more information on road safety.

Demand Restraint - Restraining Use of the Motor Car (Parking)

The control of the use of the motor car is one of the most emotive issues to be addressed in the LTP. It needs to be considered and dealt with carefully to ensure that public perception is not that the Councils are "anti-car", rather that they wish to curb unrestrained use of the motor car for unnecessary journeys.

Key elements of the strategy will include:

• The Councils plan to take over Decriminalised Parking Enforcement from the police. The money raised will be used to fund better enforcement and local transport improvements.
• Investigating park and ride schemes and considering residents parking schemes as part of an integrated approach to town centre management;
• Setting town centre charges to discourage commuter parking and encourage shoppers;
• Introduction of on-street pay and display parking; and
• Improving car park safety and signing, and facilities for the disabled.

Click here for more demand restraint information.