Representation by Andrew Goatly
- Date submitted
- 9 January 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Given the climate crisis and the threats to a sustainable environment from resource depletion and covering land with tarmac we should do everything we can to reduce the use of cars. Internal combustion engine use must end in the next 10 years to comply with government's own climate targets. Electric vehicles depend on lithium, the mining of which despoils the environment. The carbon footprint of constructing any car is also massive. The only environmental justification for this project would be if the road was primarily used for public transport which has a much lower carbon footprint than cars. This would mean bus lanes for the crossing. Freight should be moved over to railways. The government has declared a climate crisis and legislated to reach net zero This crossing is incompatible with these legal requirements as it will do nothing to move our transport systems away from cars and trucks The money spent on this project would be far better spent on moving freight onto railways and improving public transport and cycling. If the planned crossing construction goes ahead it should have a limited number of lanes for traffic and the majority should be designated for buses not private card or freight.