2021 Manifesto FINAL DRAFT - Flipbook - Page 39
Transport
and other essentials more
expensive and difficult to access.
Also, many people in the highunemployment parts of the West
Midlands live near areas where
there are job vacancies but have
no easy way to get there.
Public transport also enables
many of the people most
vulnerable to isolation to stay
connected. If we can make public
transport more accessible and
help passengers to feel safer
using it, we can help to build a
society in which people feel less
isolated.
Finally, the small businesses that
are the lifeblood of our economy
and benefit our least well-off
areas need us to invest in
ensuring good-quality transport
links, including maintaining local
and regional main roads rather
than simply prioritising national
links.
Cycling and walking:
better for everyone
Cycling and walking cost nothing,
don’t impact our environment or
add to air pollution, and improve
people’s physical and mental
health. At the same time, people
often avoid these options. We
need to focus on doing all we can
to encourage walking and cycling.
If we can help cyclists and
pedestrians to feel safer, maintain
good cycling and pedestrian
networks and prioritise cycling
and walking as “last-mile”
options, walking and cycling will
become more popular.
Streets should be pleasant and
safe places to stroll along. The
more people feel safe on our
region’s streets, the more they
will get the health benefits of
walking. Communities feel
stronger and safer when there are
friendly faces on the pavements,
too.
If we are serious about making
walking and cycling attractive
options for more people,
significant investment in
infrastructure, information,
training and facilities is required.