What is the Green Party view on the North West Link road?

This is a complex issue.

The decision to complete a ring of tarmac should not be taken lightly. We believe this is a single element which could be incorporated within a much larger transport review that is urgently needed for Worcester, the West Midlands and the nation as a whole.

This strategic transport review should consider such things as future employment and housing areas, and the amount of goods being carried on road, rail and air. A regional plan should plan for people to have the option to live reasonably close to where they work rather than creating dormitory towns where people have to commute large distances to work. The plan would consider modernising and increasing the capacity on the existing rail network. A key measure would be to create a new station on the main line at Norton. Buses and trams would also need to be part of that review.

We need to reduce the amount of noise and pollution present within the centre of our city by improving cycling and walking facilities. We need to reduce the amount of traffic passing through our city. Less through traffic would enable more pedestrianisation of the city centre, making our city centre quieter, safer, with less air pollution and a better place to shop. Building another road without looking at the deeper causes of transport problems is not the answer.

Creating more road capacity often gives a short term improvement but after a few years the capacity is quickly filled. And of course, the new road would cost hundreds of millions of pounds. In the current financial climate our money is better spent on defending the NHS and extending education and training.

In brief - Worcester Green Party cannot support the proposed North West Ring Road as a stand-alone project. However, we would be sympathetic to a new road if it improved the quality of the environment for the people of Worcester and was part of an ambitious strategic plan to reduce the need for high levels of commuting and improved train, bus, tram, cycling and walking provision in the region.

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