Exploring the future of mass transport at trams conference
Innovative ways of reducing people’s reliance on their cars in Oxfordshire could be explored, inspired by a showcase of eco-friendly, accessible and efficient transport solutions.
Senior councillors from Oxfordshire County Council attended the Time for Trams conference in Coventry last week, to see what mass rapid transit (MRT) options it might be possible to bring to the county.
In June, the council commissioned a feasibility study to explore options for a high-frequency, high-capacity public transport network to connect west Oxfordshire to Oxford within the next 25 years. Options could include electric trams or light rail.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “If we are going to grow sustainably, we need to include a mass rapid transit system as part of the big picture. We can’t keep simply expanding our roads and not expect gridlock.
“It was great to see innovative techniques being developed because if we’re going to have the huge amounts of growth that the government is planning in and around Oxford, then we need to think about different ways of moving people around.”
Among the innovations on display was a test track for the next phase of the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) programme – a radical new approach to electric tram delivery.
Instead of digging a metre into the road surface to install rails, the CVLR is testing new technology which only needs to go 30cm deep, making it easier to work around underground utilities.
It could make it easier and cheaper to utilise ultra-light vehicles, and rapid, low-disruption track construction.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It was really interesting to meet other people in the industry to discuss what mass rapid transit might look like in the future. Advances in technology could help with delivery, if we could identify the necessary funding.
“Forecasted travel demands, and the need to prioritise sustainable transport, mean that a major change in public transport provision is needed. Projects like the west Oxfordshire to Oxford MRT could help provide that and we look forward to hearing from our consultants.”
The government has established a mass transit taskforce to identify and tackle the major barriers that slow down the planning, funding and delivery of urban mass transit networks. There is also a commitment to shorten planning processes.
Organisations including the Campaign for Better Transport and Create Streets are working with the taskforce and they plan to develop a tram delivery handbook for local authorities and their partners to accelerate the delivery of tram and light rail systems across the UK.
The Campaign for Better Transport says that trams – which were commonplace across the country until the mid-20th century – have the potential to transform the country’s transport network and create safer, cleaner urban environments with thriving local economies.
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