Friends of the Earth Cardiff Cyfeillion y Ddaear Caerdydd

Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Cyclists and walkers using Bute Park. Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Cardiff Council have announced that they will keep Bute Park open until 7pm during October, November and December to allow commuters to walk and cycle through the park.

Trains at Cardiff Central Station. Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

In September 2011 the coalition government confirmed it would only electrify the Great Western main line between Cardiff and London by about 2017. They said that the business case did not support electrification to Swansea.

A mega truck in Stuttgart. Photo: Allianz pro Schiene/Kraufman

The UK Government has announced that it's considering allowing the length of lorries to increase by almost seven feet (2.05 metres).

This change would lead to more accidents, more Carbon emissions and more congestion.

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

A Freedom of Information request by the South Wales Echo to South Wales Police revealed that in 2009, the most recent year available, 5,777 drivers were caught speeding by the Cardiff’s 21 fixed speed cameras.

Photo: Chris Brown, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

Cardiff Friends of the Earth welcome the announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government this week that they are giving £6m more to develop sustainable transport across the Wales over the next year.

High-speed electric train leaving Newcastle train Station. Photo: Ian Britton, FreeFhoto.com

Electric trains are faster because:

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.