UK cities are among the most car-dependent in Europe, new research finds. Despite our diminutive size, British and Irish cities come near the bottom of a league table of thirteen European capitals, only beaten by Rome, in last place.
The new study by the Campaign for Better Transport reveals that Stockholm, Helsinki and Prague are the best places for getting around by other means, claiming first, second and third place respectively.
In producing a European Car Dependency Scorecard, the transport pressure group examined the infrastructure and transport policies of the 13 cities to find how they affect people’s transport choices and quality of life. The scorecard uses 16 indicators covering ease of access to public transport, public attitudes to car use, congestion levels and the side effects from cars to give each of the cities a score and then ranks them accordingly.
London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast came a disappointing eighth, ninth, eleventh and twelfth respectively.
Stockholm took top spot as the least car dependent city thanks to low levels of car ownership, good public transport and a high percentage of people walking and cycling. Rome was the most car dependent city with the highest percentage of car ownership and road deaths, as well as low public transport passenger satisfaction.
The UK cities performed badly due to poor air quality, high levels of congestion and, with the exception of Cardiff, the high cost of public transport.
Stephen Joseph, Campaign for Better Transport’s chief executive, said: "Car dependency damages communities, affects our quality of life and has huge environmental consequences, so the UK cities’ poor standing should be of major concern to politicians. To catch up with the best in Europe the UK Governments need to recognise the economic benefits of good air quality and road safety, and ensure public transport, walking and cycling are comparable to car use in terms of cost, journey time and quality."
Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the UK Governments to support cities to reduce car dependency by making public transport fares affordable, improving public transport journey times and giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over vehicle traffic.
The charity also says the Government’s recent announcement of plans to raise the legal motorway speed limit is a mistake, as it will not benefit drivers.
Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, explains: "Increasing the motorway speed limit to 80mph would not help the economy and would increase costs for drivers. It would also add to pollution and increase road casualties. Responsible motorists know that driving steadily at or below 70mph is most fuel efficient, reduces jams and is safer.”
