A coherent, intelligent transport policy is needed

Back in April I began my big trip by taking a DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Gothenburg in Sweden as part of an overland route that would take me from the UK across Russia into Asia without flying. During some web surfing this evening I was dismayed to learn that this ferry service ceased in October; just the latest in a recent stream of ferry services to be cut.

The latest edition of the New Statesman offers a weighty article as to the impact of flying on the environment. However if aviation does contribute so significantly to CO2 emissions and climate changes then a more intelligent transport policy is called for than simply hiking aviation passenger taxes as seems to be the only action taken under consideration thus far.

I'm someone who enjoys flying and like many others have used it on a number of occasions to reach the continent cheaply and quickly either for breaks away or to meet friends. If the government wants us to change our flying habits as part of lowering CO2 emissions then some thought needs to be given to the possible alternative modes of transport that can be used. Within Europe especially it's increasingly commonplace for people to live and or work in other countries, therefore necessitating relatively frequent journeys to visit friends, family or to even go to the office. Not travelling is often no longer an option and simply pricing the poorest out of flying, which may seem the easiest option for the government to take is not an intelligent way to proceed.

If travel by ferry is a preferable option for the environment then the government should ensure travel by this means is actively encouraged perhaps through steps to make it more attractive in the marketplace. Reasonably pricey fares compared to those of budget airlines and naturally longer journey times are not going to be instant winners for the ferries and an inability to compete is likely the reason for the reduction in so many services in recent years. If the government is willing to grab the environment nettle it needs to give benefits to greener transport providers while simultaneously taxing the polluters. Similarly it needs to ensure that greener services are running and available for the public to use. Yet is the government willing?

Although green in words the government is clearly not sold on the issue of climate change. After all, steps to curb flying will have a significant impact on the economy. It'd have to be a government certain of the facts to make that step and while the evidence and visible climate change is stacking up the voices unconvinced by climate change remain vocal, numerous and not disrespected. Let's also not forget that Labour's ability to convince anyone of anything since the Iraq debacle has likely been terminally impaired.

If the prospect of curbing aviation usage is too prickly for the present then why not take the positive step instead of encouraging greener transportation. Begin with the carrot in changing the public's habits. If we're to get off the roads and out of the skies we need to be encouraged onto the rail and into ferries and other means of reaching our destinations. The government has no excuses not to proceed down this avenue which will in the long term be vital in an overall greener transport policy.