Sustrans slams "disastrous budget," CTC says government should encourage bike use

The planning permission stuff isn't really a surprise, the people who would be properly examining applications on a sustainability basis are among the Local Authority teams being hardest hit by the cuts (for hardest hit please read "loosing their jobs, incomes and heading for benefits increasing welfare expenditure").

The penny of fuel duty is neither here nor there but the failure to implement planned increases is actually a major step backwards in sustainability terms.

I would like to say to those who voted this lot into power "we told you so"

The only thing green about this government is the colour you get by mixing Tory blue and LibDem yellow.

The stuff about changing the planning permission process to be "pro-jobs" (i.e. pro-business) was almost as bad. And it shouldn't have been included in the budget, as if money were the only consideration - although that was basically what they were saying. Presumption of approval is supposed to be only for "sustainable projects", but if you don't thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of a project then how can you know it will be sustainable? There will be a lot of greenwashing, probably including slapping a few Sheffield stands outside the front of new office buildings located miles from anywhere, with huge car parks, and no changing rooms for any cyclists who do brave the increasingly congested roads. But it might make it a bit easier for Sustrans to build whatever project they can afford, so they probably didn't complain about that bit.

God help the government that is finally the one to say "Sorry but you're going to have to stop driving your car so much".

At the moment, fuel prices are creeping up so it's like the 'boiling frog'* effect - as long as the increase in pain is gradual they (we) will keep putting up with it. I suspect the only way we'll get a genuine change to the situation is with a sudden 'step change' causing crisis - like, for example, an extended war in the mid east that forces up prices or dramatically reduces supply... oh wait.

* I've never boiled a frog so this may well be a myth.

So much for the "greenest ever government" That phrase, coming from a Tory, was obviously meant to be a joke.

Caroline Lucas's perspective in the Grauniad:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/24/george-osborne-budget-...

My car-dependent colleagues are all relieved to be saving 1p/litre but it's proper head-in-sand stuff. Nobody ever discusses changing driving habits, car-sharing, reducing journey numbers or even ways to economise on personal spending in other areas.

Bearing in mind the traffic levels around Shrewsbury I'd say current fuel prices have had zero effect on driving behaviour or numbers. The vast majority of cars are single occupant, too many drivers do the sharp accelerate-heavy braking thing so it's obviously not hurting yet. It should be £2/litre. And I don't think people in rural areas deserve any kind of discount.

Before any sh*tkickers and country bumpkins moan, I've been there too - I spent most of my life in a rural backwater a good way from civilisation and work in the agricultural sector for my sins. Farmers get enough grants, benefits and tax-exempt perks for their businesses and their (mostly swanky) vehicles that ruin the roads and verges. If food producers want to make a living they need to fight for better prices, not more handouts.

No worries. Now that the oil companies are taxed, they will increase the price of the oil. Add to that the new war in the Middle East. We shouldn't fret. Wait and see.

That sustrans statement is just as bad as the any political one!

“Sadly he has delivered the budget from behind the steering wheel of a Ford Focus and turned his back on an opportunity to provide alternatives to car use and much needed support to those suffering from the high cost of fuel

er.. im yet to find a sustrans built route (No, not just one they stuck a signpost on!) that provides a suitable alternative for joe public to give up a car.

“a disastrous budget which focuses on short term gains to get popular support.”

And your press release, structured to include the usual witty litte retorts and stating the bleeding obvious, is in no way an attempt to just get publicity the various cycling websites is it?

Honestly, I like sustrans and support what they do but sometimes they should think before they speak.

Well what did you really expect?
I have seen no real government commitment to alternative transport strategies .... and that's what it needs (not just bikes!)
Cycle 2 Work may have survived but It doesn't help everybody. My company refuse to run the scheme and I needed it when I broke my frame this year (probably due to the appalling road conditions).
As for the pothole money ... well is it enough? and how long will the repairs last... on my commute there are countless holes that have been "repaired" several times. Only where the complete road surface has been replaced have the repairs held together, but I guess the councils are so budget focused that they are not interested in a long term fix just cheap sticking plasters.

Sorry Rant over

Nice to see Sustans, at least, talking tough on this.

CTC sounds a bit weak in comparison. "But what about our breakfasts? How will we fuel our vehicular cycling?"