Drivers on Westcountry roads wasted almost five million hours stuck in jams last year, sparking fears congestion could hit the region's economy (link below.)
http://thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20389620Despite traffic flowing better on the M5 into the region, time lost in delays on the other major trunk roads has risen by almost a third since summer 2004. The sharp increase raised serious concerns about the impact on the tourism industry in Devon and Cornwall, with visitors put off by the prospect of long tailbacks.
Areas without dual carriageways should be a priority in future, said North Cornwall
MP▸ Dan Rogerson.
"The figures are not surprising given the regional assembly chose to invest in Devon rather than the far South West. It is vital we get work soon on undualled portions of the A30, particularly between Temple and Higher Carblake, if we are to continue to be an attractive destination for tourism and industry."
Ministers have been under pressure to give motorists other options for leaving their cars at home. Bus services can be limited and train services have been the subject of high-profile criticism over reliability and punctuality.
But a Department for Transport spokesman said:
"The Government is tackling congestion by making record investments in public transport, building new road capacity where appropriate and investing in ways to get more from our existing roads."
Some ^550 million had been invested in rural bus services since 1998 which helped to fund more than 2,000 bus services and 33 million passenger journeys each year.
"In addition, the Local Transport Bill will give local authorities more powers to improve bus services in their areas as well as expanding the role of community transport which will particularly benefit rural areas,"
