We have today published the video and minutes from the Cross-Party Group on Sustainable Transport meeting, where Bruce Whyte, the Public Health Programme Manager at Glasgow Centre for Population Health, discussed what health impacts have resulted from the increase in road traffic over the past 50+ years.
As part of his presentation, Bruce highlighted that in Glasgow, only 50% of people have access to a car; and that this percentage of the population are overwhelmingly those from lower income families. However, by contrast, children living in poorer areas are far more likely to be injured by a car than those who live in wealthier areas.
This is a stark picture, which indicates the unequal impacts that the increase in road traffic and emissions are having in our cities.
Transform’s communications officer, Rachel McFarlane, commented:
“Bruce’s excellent presentation considers such statistics, and builds a compelling argument as to why we must reallocate car space to provide public areas which benefit everyone instead, not just car drivers.
“When less people drive, more people feel safe to walk, wheel and cycle. This is an important shift we must make if we are to improve public health, air pollution levels and our climate.”
You can watch Bruce’s full presentation on equalities impacts of historic traffic growth, and the link this has to the 20% car reduction target here.
