Transport and roads

Trains
Using train services regularly I am well aware of the short comings of crowded, late or cancelled services. 

I would like to see a return to the days of a few high class train operators in competition who are also responsible for the track and line side equipment 
... as I can remember the LMS, LNER, GWR and SR when one could rely on trains! 
It is only with increased reliability and lower fares due to greater efficiency that the motoring public will return to the trains in any numbers.

Buses
Similarly bus services have to be made more attractive to change people's habits of using cars for short journeys. 
Free or reduced travel costs for Pensioners should be consistent across the country rather than varying from one local authority to another.

Public Transport
Greatly improved public transport is the only way to discourage people from using their cars, and is preferable to the imposition of punitive fuel prices and tax levels.

Speed Safety
Although motorists dislike speed bumps they are effective in reducing speeds in crucial situations outside schools. 
The stricter enforcement of speed limits is expected to cut road deaths and confirmation of this over a longer period will encourage better compliance with speed limits.

Road Programme
We need better road links to the motorway system as Bromsgrove and Droitwich, for example, use these to attract industrial development more easily than we do. 

The Stourport Road industrial corridor is our largest brown field site available for development but the cost of decontamination and the poor road links have to be overcome. 

I have approached and will continue to lobby Advantage West Midlands for much more help here than the £10,000 that we received for a feasibility study.

The Stourport relief road is not a high priority with county planners and I believe that, whilst continuing to press for the full relief road, it is realistic to work on plans for lower cost stages of the road that could be afforded more easily one by one.

Environmental Improvements
Walking or cycling to work and to school should be encouraged by developing safer routes, and bringing into use more disused railways, canal tow paths and dedicated tracks, not just lined-off tracks on main roads for cyclists. 
A major study should be undertaken into how the walk to school can be made safer.

Promoted and printed by Malcolm Cooper on behalf of  Dr. Richard Taylor
of  Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern,
137, Franche Road, Kidderminster. DY11 5AP

© Independent Kidderminster Hospital & Health Concern 2005
(webdesign@chaddesley-corbett.co.uk)