The Campaign to Protect Rural England [1] welcomed Conservative proposals [2] announced by Theresa Villiers today (Tuesday) for more traffic police and education to reduce deaths on our roads.  But more action is needed to make people feel safe - let alone enjoy - walking and cycling, particularly on rural roads.

Ralph Smyth, CPRE’s Senior Transport Campaigner said:

‘Many motorists want to drive at a safe speed without being tailgated, to feel safe walking their dogs along a lane or letting their kids cycle to school.  Decisions about the best way to make roads safe should be based on more than just crude and cruel body counts.’

As part of our vision for 2026 [4], CPRE wants people to feel safer walking and cycling.  Without measuring how safe people feel using local roads, local communities won’t be able to compare how well their local council and police are doing their job.

CPRE’s campaign [3] to influence the Department for Transport’s (DfT) draft Road Safety Strategy this summer received wide support.  Over 800 responses, a majority of all those received, were sent by CPRE members and supporters. 

Smyth continued:

‘Surveys consistently show that bad and inconsiderate driving is a major public concern.  So speed limits and traffic enforcement must take people’s fears into account.  Encouraging healthy, low carbon  forms of travel like walking and cycling will be harder if people only feel safe using roads when protected inside a metal chassis.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2. Based on speech made by Theresa Villiers, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, on 6 October 2009 at the Conservative Party Conference.

3. CPRE is calling for lowering of the excessively high 60mph limit on country lanes and for an educational campaign to encourage people to adapt their driving to the varied conditions on country roads.  Both these measures were recommended by the DfT’s research (Rural Road Safety – policy options, D A Lynam, TRL Report PPR 200 (2007)).  But neither featured in the urban-focused consultation, despite almost two-thirds of traffic fatalities occurring on rural roads. More information at: www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/transport/rural-transport/safer-roads

4. CPRE launched 2026 - A Vision for the Countryside in May, setting out a positive and optimistic vision for the future of the beautiful English countryside in 2026, the charity’s centenary year. The Vision’s key issues include: affordable, high quality housing; urban regeneration; Green Belts; better planning; green energy; local food and farming; more walking and cycling; light pollution and valuing the countryside as a national asset.  For further information go to www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/environment/2026-a-vision-for-the-countryside.