As the government’s landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill reaches the House of Lords, transport and environmental groups warn that the government’s housebuilding drive risks creating congestion and car dependent communities.  

Green Alliance, Greenpeace, Cycling UK and others are calling for a new framework in planning law to limit congestion from new homes in a joint letter to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the government minister managing the bill in the Lords.  

As the bill reaches the House of Lords, signatories to the letter say that new developments must be required to demonstrate that they will have a measurably positive impact on local transport networks and not increase congestion. This is part of the bill yet to be scrutinised by parliament. 

Nick Davies, head of climate policy at Green Alliance, said: 

“To deliver desperately needed new homes we need to get building in the UK, but in ways that protect nature, limit traffic pollution and make people’s lives better. Instead of locking homeowners into unhealthy, car dependent lifestyles, the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill should contain safeguards to prevent congestion and make sure new developments are connected to public transport links and walking and cycling routes.” 

Commenting on the proposed congestion limiting framework Ralph Smyth, adviser to the Transport Action Network, said:  

“With the government’s planning reforms progressing through parliament and proposals for new towns set to be revealed this summer, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver healthier and better connected communities. By contrast, if we fail to turn around the current model of car dependent housing, congestion and pollution will be locked in, undermining the government’s economic growth, health and climate missions.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

1. Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment. Nick Davies available for further comment and interviews – contact Tom Jeffery on 07354 848 168 or tjeffery@green-alliance.org.uk.
2. Organisations supporting this call include Green Alliance, Transport Action Network, Transport and Environment, Transport for New Homes, Greenpeace, Cycling UK, Healthy Air Coalition, Campaign for Better Transport and Clean Cities. They believe the government should explore this approach to help join up its ambitions for healthier travel, social opportunity and accelerating to net zero with its much needed housing targets, delivering homes in the right places.
3. Traffic congestion cost the UK economy £7.7 billion in 2024 (see INRIX, 2024, “Global traffic scorecard: London most congested city in Europe; congestion costing the UK £7.7 billion”’. 
4. Road transport is the UK’s biggest source of climate-changing carbon emissions. It is also a major source of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (Nox) and particulate matter (PM), leading to tens of thousands of early deaths each year and costing the NHS millions (see ‘Climate Change Committee, July 2024, 2024 Progress report to parliament’ and ‘Legislation.gov.uk, 2022, ‘Environment Act targets impact analysis: air quality’)