English regions are too ‘car dependent’, says campaign group

Research published today shows how dependent many people have become on their cars.

The Campaign for Better Transport’s Car Dependency Scorecard offers regional pictures of car dependency, revealing that people are facing different reasons for car dependency and showing what is needed in each region for people to begin to have real choice about how they travel.
1. North West: 68%. C+
Trams and trains are good options and traffic volumes encourage cycling
2. Yorkshire & the Humber: 57%. D+
City streets are good for walking along but public transport fares are too high

3. South East: 56%. D
Good train and bus options but cycling could be promoted better

4. East of England: 54%. D
No need for a car to reach the office but people don’t think bus services are great

5. North East: 54%. D
Rural people are close to services but roads are full of traffic

6. East Midlands: 53%. D-
People think the bus is a good option but more innovation is needed to get people out of their cars.

7. South West: 49%. E+
Public transport is expensive and it’s hard to take a bus. But drivers are mindful of pedestrians

8. West Midlands: 43%. E-
Rural car dependency, low-density developments and heavy traffic volumes

Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“Car dependency is hurting people’s health, communities and the environment. Our new scorecard shows that while car dependency is a big problem it is not inevitable.

“In each region, there are initiatives helping to reduce car dependency. But more needs to be done. We want local councils to take action in their upcoming local transport plans and spend on projects that will make it easy for people to get out of their cars, and we want the Government to set policies and funding so that car dependency is reduced.”