RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

6.0 RAC calls to action

The state of the roads Local roads: The state of local roads remains one of motorists’ top concerns. The RAC calls on the Government to recognise the importance of local roads as an essential component of the UK’s transport infrastructure and ring- fence a proportion of motoring tax receipts to tackle the maintenance backlog and fund local improvement schemes. Such action should mirror that already taken to fund the development and maintenance of the strategic road network and would reflect the importance of local roads to economic growth. Strategic road network: With increasing concern among motorists regarding congestion and less predictable journey times, the RAC calls on the Government and Highways England to continue prioritising both the delivery of the Road Investment Strategy (RIS 1) on time and within budget and the development of the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS 2), effective from 2020/21.

The RAC also calls on Highways England to further improve the quality and accuracy of the information provided to network users on major incidents, prioritising location, estimated delay time and the fastest alternative route. Parking: Motorists are more concerned about parking availability and cost than 12 months ago and the Government has been slow to respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government discussion paper on parking practices. We urge the Government and local authorities to recognise the important role that parking fulfils in the health of local high streets, on employment and on local communities and to reflect this in both parking provision and the associated legislative framework.

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