Transport 2000

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Transport 2000, founded in 1972, is a British umbrella (see member organisations below) advocacy movement which states it is concerned with sustainable transport^[1]. The group proposes alternative transport strategies which it claims aim to reduce the environmental and social impact of transport by promoting greater use of public transport, walking and cycling.

1 Origins
2 Organisation
3 Policies
4 Controversy
5 Member organisations
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Origins

Following the disclosure of the Heath Conservative Government's (1970–1974) Rail Policy Review document in 1972, which suggested a dramatic shrinkage in the rail network, the National Union of Railwaymen invited the ASLEF and TSSA rail unions, and other interested parties, to a conference held on 13 November. As a result of that meeting, Transport 2000 was inaugurated on 6 December 1972^[2].

[edit] Organisation

The group is divided into Transport 2000 Ltd, a campaigning organisation whose President is Michael Palin, and the Transport 2000 Trust, whose patron is Jenny Agutter.

Transport 2000 is one of the founders of the "Slower Speeds Initiative" which advocates the reduction of British speed limits to 55mph on motorways, 40mph on other roads outside urban areas, and 20mph in built-up areas.

[edit] Policies

Transport 2000 says on its website that it "aims to reduce the environmental and social impact of transport by encouraging less use of cars and more use of public transport, walking and cycling."^[3]

Among Transport 2000's major campaigns are:

20's Plenty - A campaign to encourage the government to make it easier for local authorities to impose 20mph speed limits in residential areas in an effort to reduce children's deaths and injury.
Focus on Road Safety and Speed - A campaign to reduce the speed of traffic in residential areas, including traffic calming devices, lower residential and urban speed limits, and enforcement of existing laws against speeding.
Focus on Traffic - A campaign to reduce road traffic by introducing a nationwide congestion charging scheme.
Focus on Walking and Cycling - A campaign to increase walking and cycling by improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

[edit] Controversy

The group is sometimes criticised for its confrontational and sensationalist approach towards propagating its views. It directly ridicules those who oppose it, describing them as "mad people", and maintains a list of quotes from figures who are perceived to be antithetical to the group's aims.^[4] Among those whom Transport 2000 regularly attacks are "pro-car" public figures including motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson.