Roads
New roads have increased motor traffic levels. Photo: © CPRE
The damage to the countryside caused by building new roads through it has long been obvious. But the indirect impacts are less so as they happen gradually since adding new road capacity generates more traffic.
Increased traffic levels means more air and noise pollution, making it harder to find a quiet spot. As people take advantage of faster journeys by making longer journeys, local shops and services close down. Urban areas become more spaced out and more land is needed for access roads and car parking. Carbon emissions shoot up and we become more dependent on oil from abroad. Walking and cycling along roads becomes less safe let alone pleasant and even crossing roads can become difficult.
We believe traffic growth needs to be controlled then reversed. Alternatives to conventional road building that still provide for more and longer car journeys need to be reconsidered.
