Transport shapes how we live, move and connect with each other. But the way the UK currently designs and uses its transport system is having serious consequences for public health.
That’s why CoHSAT has joined The Faculty of Public Health, the Royal Society of Public Health, and over 30 other health and transport organisations and professionals in supporting the ‘Bristol Declaration on Healthy Transport’, calling for the transformation of the UK to a place where healthy transport options are the easiest, natural choice for most everyday journeys, without relying on a car.
Poor transport systems harm the health of hundreds of thousands of UK residents every year through pollution, congestion, road traffic collisions and the fear of them, injuries, noise, social isolation and reduced feelings of safety. Road transport is a major source of air, noise and water pollution (from exhaust emissions), brake and tyre wear and road surface degradation. These pollutants contribute to strokes, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer.
The Bristol Declaration sets out actions to address these issues and to shift the UK towards healthier, more sustainable transport, setting out 10 Actions required to achieve this. It calls for recognising car dependency as a public health issue, enabling a real shift and towards walking, cycling and public transport, and significantly increasing investment in active travel. It urges governments and organisations to prioritise safety and accessibility – particularly for vulnerable groups, lower speed limits to 20mph in built‑up areas, reform planning and highway design, and ensure new developments allow safe, convenient access to key amenities without a car.
Read the full Bristol Declaration here.
