€34bn transport plan ‘will not solve congestion’

A SENIOR civil servant has broken ranks to warn that the Government’s multi-billion-euro transport policy will not work in locations where congestion problems are worst.

Dave Fadden, of the Strategic Planning and Policy Division of the Department of Transport, said that the Government’s prized €34.3 billion Transport 21 programme focused entirely on spending money on major transport infrastructure like roads, rail and buses without examining the way transport was used.

“It seems to imply to me that if you invest in infrastructure, you will get a sustainable transport system. You will not by infrastructure alone. There is no mention in it of changes in travel behaviour which is going to be a key element of sustainable transport.”