Local MP and Transport Minister Norman Baker has launched an initiative to reduce travel. He says this will benefit the economy, the environment, and the individual. The plans include more working from home, and greater use of video conferencing facilities.
The plans also include proposals to overhaul the way rail season tickets are sold. Under the plans, rail companies would sell carnets as well as season tickets, enabling travellers to pay for journeys in batches while enjoying the discounts available to season ticket holders.
The benefits of Mr Baker's proposals include:
Lib Dem Mr Baker has also asked his own Department, and the rest of government, to set an example by making greater use of videoconferencing to cut back on their own travel. Since taking office as part of the new coalition government in May, Mr Baker has already delivered two speeches remotely, by recording a DVD which has been played at conferences.
Mr Baker now plans to meet with Ministers and officials from the Treasury and other departments, as well as business leaders, to discuss his plans in detail.
Norman Baker commented:
"Reducing demand for travel will reduce congestion, pollution and stress in our daily lives. Working just 1 day in 10 from home would have a huge impact, and working from home could do wonders for that work life balance we all strive for. For example, you could drop the children off at school, work in the office 9.30 until 2, go and pick them up, then work a couple more hours from home.
"Twenty-first century transport choices should fit a twenty-first century world where we shouldn't just use smart cards to travel, we should be smarter about when we travel and when we use office technology for virtual travel instead.
"The results will be tangible - reduced congestion, reduced carbon emissions, improved quality of life and if we're all working from home we might even start talking to our neighbours again, which that can't be a bad thing for our communities."
Mr Baker's initiative was welcomed by Matthew Farrow, CBI Head of Infrastructure, who said:
"We agree there needs to be big changes to the way we work and commute to cut future congestion, particularly on our roads.
"Although it's not feasible in all workplaces, employers are increasingly enabling staff to stagger their commutes and break out of the usual 'nine to five'."
The plans were also welcomed by Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport:
"I think this is a huge step forward. A lot of the debate seems to be taking place as if the internet was never invented."
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
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East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
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