Transport Flashcards
road network
- in england most roads are maintained by local authorities
- longest and widest roads (A and motorways) are overseen by the department for transport and upkept by national highways
speed limits
government is responsible for setting speed limits
- 30mph on streets with lighting
- national 60mph on single carriageways
- national 70mph on dual or motorways
local authorities can set their own speed limits outside of the national ones
department for transport roles
overall policy, approve new roads and tolls, highway code, manage investments, planning and maintenance
national highways roles
improve infrastructure, manage traffic and congestion, minimise impact on environment, provide information to road users
(overseen by the office for rail and road and transport focus)
local authorities transport roles
maintain road network and traffic management (pothols, road signs, speed bumps, lights, lanes, parking, lollipop people)
congestion charges and CAZs
- london was the first city to introduce congestion charges in 2003
- clean air zones are popular in many UK cities now
- LEZs in Scottish cities
- london has a mix of LEZs and ULEZs
charges
- tolls = raise investments for new roads (tyne tunnel, M6 toll road)
- car parking = local authorities enforce parking charges (civil parking enforcement) + PCNs (penalty charge notices)
private car parks enforce PCNs (private charge notices)
buses and public transport
the 1930 road traffic act allowed regulation of passenger-carrying motor vehicles
- Thatcher deregulated them and sold public-owned services to private operators in 1980s
- since 2010 local authorities have cut £78m in funding and over 2400 routes have been reduced/withdrawn
public control of buses
the government allows areas to take control of buses through fundraising (as long as there is an elected mayor and devolution is agreed)
- eg manchester bee network joined trams and buses and put a £2 cap on costs
