Image Credit: House of Commons/Laurie Noble
UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh highlighted the importance of a “transport system that’s sustainable” in her launch of England’s Integrated National Transport Strategy today.
Delivered in Leeds, the Transport Secretary outlined her vision for the strategy which will set out how transport should be designed, built and operated in England over the next 10 years.
Ms Haigh stated that walking and cycling should be “the best choice for shorter journeys”, and called for pavements and cycle tracks to accommodate expanded e-bike and e-scooter hire schemes.
Adam Norris, CEO of e-scooter brand Pure Electric, who was personally invited to the event, told Zag Daily: “Having spoken to Ms Haigh today it is clear that the UK government wants integrated transport and for more power to be given to local councils to make these decisions.
“From our side, the good news is that clearly it’s her intention to legalise private e-scooters and the fact she’s mentioned it again today is a strong indication that it’s on their mind to do it sooner rather than later.”
Earlier this month, the Transport Secretary said that the UK government intends to legislate on e-scooters, and the Autumn Budget last month announced a £100 million investment into walking and cycling.
Richard Dilks, CEO of national charity for shared transport CoMoUK also commented: “It’s really heartening to hear the Transport Secretary talk about shared transport in the context of an integrated transport revolution.
“Shared transport already plays a fundamental role in offering people sustainable transport options alongside public transport, people walking, and cycling on their own bikes – but this is far from reflected in government policy and practice.
“Aside from legislation to legalise and define standards for e-scooters, we want to see shared transport fully recognised as part of the transport options that the government wants to see integrated.”
To support the drafting and development of the Strategy, the Department for Transport (DfT) has opened a call for evidence about people’s experience of transport in England and how it can be improved.
The DfT is seeking to hear from users of any form of transport, such as cars, public transport, e-bikes, walking or wheeling, as well as people who work in the transport industry and organisations that operate in the transport sector.
“The strength of the strategy we are launching depends on capturing the ideas and experiences of everyone in this room and many more around the country who will have important contributions to make,” Ms Haigh said during the launch.
Richard added that CoMoUK is hoping to engage with ministers through the process they have laid out for the Strategy, and will be “taking the Secretary of State at her word when she said she wanted to hear from everyone in the room today in Leeds and beyond.”
