CONGESTION CHARGING

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Derby could see a congestion charge introduced on its roads as part of a proposal to create a monorail system in the city centre. Councillor Chris Wynn has said traffic congestion must be tackled and that a monorail system would help cut traffic problems by encouraging people away from cars and on to public transport. But it will only receive government funding if a congestion charge is brought in. Really?

The system being considered is called Ultra and, like a monorail, it would have a track running in a loop around the city, possibly including stops at Derby's railway station, the new £95m Riverlights development and bus terminal, the Eagle Centre and Pride Park. Other possible stops would be Derby Cathedral, the Meteor Centre and the new "superhospital". The system would feature a series of individual electrically-powered cars, which would each transport small groups of people.

The council said that it would need to make a commitment to charge motorists to use the city's road network. So what's the road fund tax paid for then? Before the city council gets any more bright innovative ideas ideas for transport, shouldn't we have a reliable and convenient bus service first?

Ultra project manager Alan Craig said, "Environmentally, it's a very good system for any city centre. It would be a very good thing for Derby or any other city that suffers from congestion. There's no end of interest in Ultra and we'd be delighted if Derby City Council follow up the interest they've already shown."

The council has yet to consider what the charge might be in Derby. According to Mr Wynn, it would be likely to come into effect at the city's boundaries if it was introduced. He believes the cost of the scheme would be negligible because the areas that would take the new lanes already have wide roads. The road markings would simply need to be redrawn to accommodate the buses.

Mr Wynn added, "The fact is that traffic is on the increase and the responsible thing is to look at the situation and say 'what can we do to improve it?' We're aware that some of the ideas won't be popular and others will be, so what we need to do is look at all the options, hear what the public have to say, and then decide what's best for Derby and the people of Derby." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Jul/06)

Mr Darling said that the studies would not necessarily result in charging schemes in every city involved but he said that the first scheme would be announced within 18 months and one or two areas would start charging drivers by 2008 or 2009. These schemes would allow the technology to be tested before it was adopted by other areas. The Government has allocated up to £200 million a year from 2008 to help local authorities introduce charging systems. Participating councils will also be given greater control over local bus services in a move that is likely to anger private bus companies.

Several councils taking part in the studies had been lukewarm about the idea of congestion charging until Mr Darling assured them that they would receive extra funding for public transport. Manchester hopes that Mr Darling will unblock funding for extensions to its tram network in return for its cooperation in testing congestion charging. The city plans to work with Norwich Union, which has launched a “pay-as-you-drive” insurance policy under which 5,000 customers’ cars are tracked by satellite. The same system could also be used to charge tolls that vary according to distance and time. (Source: Times Online)

Motorists and bus passengers complained about lengthy delays because of a pedestrian crossing installed near Lakeside Community Primary School. The traffic light-controlled crossing was installed to improve safety for pupils and parents on their way to and from the school in London Road. The school moved to the new building on the edge of Alvaston Park from a Victorian building in London Road at the beginning of this term.

A bus passenger, who travels along the route past the new school, said the traffic had been "horrendous" since it opened. She said, "The bus I get on at 8.10am is not getting into Derby until 8.55am. I have been late for work as a result. The lights keep changing every few minutes and it's creating chaos. Traffic is being held up all the way back up Raynesway and all along the A50 coming towards Alvaston and then down London Road."

David Gartside, head of highways for the city council said, "The first couple of weeks of September are traditionally very busy, with people taking their children to new schools. But London Road is quite wide and I wouldn't have thought it would create problems. I would expect this to settle down over time." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Sep/06)

Derby City Council's head of traffic David Gartside warned motorists queuing on the A52 that things will only get worse, until commuters start using other forms of transport. Drivers heading into the city from Long Eaton and Nottingham have endured lengthening queues recently. The council says this is caused by more vehicles using Raynesway to join the A52, rather than the traditional routes from the south, along London or Osmaston roads.

Traffic for Pride Park is also likely to increase. Mr Gartside said, "What has made this route increasingly popular was the A6 Alvaston bypass to link Raynesway with the A50. We started noticing a big change about six months after that, in the middle of 2004, and more people have continued to use it ever since. Pride Park is under particular pressure, and because there are only three routes in and out it has led to big queues. That's only going to get worse." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Nov/06)