PAPER 18 Encouraging Public Transport - What's in it for me?

The unprecedented growth in traffic over the past 20 years is a reflection of changes in the economy, in work patterns and lifestyles. It is not just a UK phenomenon - the trends apply throughout Europe. This growth has led to problems of congestion as demand for movement has outstripped the supply of roadspace. Growth in traffic has also meant a corresponding increase in the demand for energy and in exhaust emissions.

If these trends continue unabated, the National Road Traffic Forecasts predict a possible further 50% increase in the demand for movement within the next 15 years. Now, while catalytic converters will help to reduce some emissions, there would still be a substantial increase in the production of greenhouse gases such as C02. Meanwhile Government has indicated that it accepts that it is impractical to expect to be able to build our way out of trouble.