ANNA WHITNEY looks at the way ahead for Barnet's transport strategy

Choked roads and bad public transport could become distant memories in the borough if Barnet Council's transport strategy is successfully implemented.

The draft document has ambitious ideas to improve public transport and the environment by decreasing traffic and pollution by the year 2010.

It looks likely to get the go-ahead after residents' responses to leaflets sent out show that -- despite some councillors' accusations that the strategy is anti-motorists -- 1,777 people have given it an almost unanimous seal of approval.

Approximately five out of six people are in favour of the strategy's approach. As most are in favour, it is unlikely to be changed much from its draft form if it gains a majority vote at the next full council meeting.

Most of the residents who returned questionnaires were car drivers. However, they considered the most important issue to be public transport.

Council officers have drawn up an action plan which is already in progress in some areas to implement the strategy's goals. Its aims include reducing traffic levels by ten per cent and increasing cycling, walking and the use of public transport.

A green commuter plan will be promoted among businesses and employers in the borough and the council will put pressure on transport providers to give bulk discounts to companies.

Surveys will assess traffic levels and highway work will be carried out to look at traffic reduction. Car trips will be targeted by working with community groups to encourage people to use other means of transport.

And there should be safe, well-lit, pleasant walking and cycle routes provided, as well as more pedestrian crossing facilities. To increase public transport the council plans to lobby transport providers as well as other authorities while implementing the London Bus Priority Network in the borough.

These are just a few of the key issues planned for Barnet borough. Others include making pedestrian safety a priority and discouraging school car trips.

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