NEW road building will boost the economy and relieve congestion. Is this true or a myth?

Those who are stuck in traffic getting to work or find themselves in queues of holiday traffic may think, quite naturally, that more roads are the answer. However, recent in-depth research done for the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) covering 86 road schemes has found that traffic increases much more with new roads and reductions in journey time are negligible.

The research shows there is a clear cycle of more roads generating more traffic and congestion leading to demands for more roads. Not surprising in this increasingly crowded island where so many people want to drive.

So what of the boost to jobs? Of the roads that had been promoted for their benefit to the local economy, just one in five demonstrated any evidence of such a benefit and that was weak. Moreover, every case study showed that new road schemes result in pressure on adjoining roads.

The effect of new roads on the environment is worrying. It was found that 80 per cent of the schemes damaged the surrounding environment. Attempts to protect rare animals and plants had failed. Harm has been done to protected landscapes. Fourteen new road schemes have damaged ancient woodlands. It is timely that these woodlands are proposed to be protected in the Housing White Paper.

Road-building is found to be closely associated with a pattern of development that is highly car-dependent.

So what is the answer? Living near to work and schools so journeys can be done on foot or bicycle may be a way of increasing physical activity and reducing stress and pollution. In other countries there are more comprehensive rail systems. Perhaps in England the need is to look again at transport planning and for money and resources to be put into alternative options so there are more linked cycle routes, footpaths, rail stations and buses. Rather than increasing road capacity, should the money be spent on a better use of roads and keeping them in good repair?

Progress on these aims seems to be along the lines of one step forward and two steps back. Whenever there is an oil price hike, there is a step forward. Recent thinking that road building will help to boost the economy has brought about a step backwards.

We have examples in Wiltshire where battles are raging over transport schemes.

Stonehenge is at risk of damage to the landscape and the archaeology of the World Heritage Site. In the west, concentration on making the A350 a major road has resulted in a series of roundabouts to housing estates and risks to Biss Wood and other ancient woodlands east of Trowbridge. At Chippenham, proposals for an eastern ring road, and at Swindon a western access for Wichelstowe leading out of town instead of connecting with the centre pose threats to the town centres. Experience has shown that if a town centre is not connected it will die, and with it the economy.

It is said that the more roads you have, the more cars you have. Instead, the solution could be putting resources into foot and cycle paths, local public transport and the right links to town centres.