Friends of the Earth Cardiff Cyfeillion y Ddaear Caerdydd

Local group members try to cross the River Ely

Walking

Walking is cheap, healthy and non-polluting. It joins other form of transport together.

In 2004 12 percent of journeys to work in Cardiff were made by walking. In Wales:

• 28 percent of all travel is by walking
• 81 percent of journeys less than one mile are made by walking

Encouraging walking

Walking should be encouraged by:

Local group members try to cross the River Ely

Traffic and communities

Increased traffic change the whole character of a neighbourhood for the worse. Heavy traffic is noisy, dirty and intrusive. It carves up neighbourhoods and creates fear and isolation. As traffic levels rise there is a downward spiral.

Commuter train, Cardiff
Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Rail

Wales should be served by a modern, well-funded European-style railway. This rail service would bring economic, social and environmental benefits by reducing traffic and social exclusion.

Cyclists on North Road, Cardiff. Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Cycling

Cardiff is ideal for cycling. It is relatively flat, and facilities such as shops are fairly close to housing areas. However, in 2004 just 4 per cent of people cycled to work. Cardiff Friends of the Earth wants the Council to take measures to improve cycling.

There are many reasons why you should cycle. These include:

New buses in Cardiff

Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Buses

Bus services are a central part of Cardiff’s transport system. Buses:

Traffic in St Mary Street before the car ban.
Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Traffic and businesses

Traffic affects the British Economy. In 2007 the South-East Wales Transport Alliance estimated that congestion costs Welsh businesses 500 million pounds a year.

Local group member sends message to fuel tax protestors

Transport

An efficient transport system is vital to how Cardiff functions. People have to travel to work, to shop, to school and to other facilities. Businesses have to transport goods and be accessible to customers.

Heavy traffic in St Mary Street, Cardiff. Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth.

** Campaign update **

Campaign success - The High Street and part of St Mary Street (to Guildhall Place) have now been pedestrianised. The section of St Mary Street from Guildhall Place to St Mary Street has been narrowed and made one-way.

This action is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.

Traffic congestion in Newport Road, Cardiff Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Photo: Friends of the Earth

This action is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.

The Cardiff International Airport Masterplan outlines how it could grow over the upcoming years.

“Air travel is the world's fastest growing source of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which cause climate change.” That’s the verdict from Airportwatch, along with huge numbers of environmental groups and research bodies.