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Fuming about transport

28 March 2003

Our cities are becoming choked with congestion and Bristol is no exception. The air we breathe is polluted from car fumes that not only affect health but also help to change our climate. Airports and flight paths are becoming more crowded as airlines compete for business by offering cheap flights.

How can we balance the personal convenience of the car, cheap flights and the needs of businesses with our local and global environment? These issues will be debated in Bristol next week.

'Fuming about transport - a debate on transport, congestion and its impact on the environment', hosted by the Swindon-based Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is taking place at the @Bristol Science Centre on Tuesday 1 April, starting at 6.00pm.

You are welcome to attend the debate, which promises to be lively as participants include Austin Williams, Director of the Transport Research Group and a regular columnist on the Daily Telegraph, Alan Davies from Bristol International Airport and Mike Burkin, South West Regional Officer for Friends of the Earth.

The debate will be followed by a reception at 8.00pm where you will have the opportunity to interview the speakers. Around 100 people have registered to take part in the debate so far, so you should also be able to hear opinions from Bristol residents and businesses.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. @Bristol Science Centre is located in Millennium Square, Bristol.

2. NERC leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences. Part of its remit is to engage in public dialogue on issues where the science that it is involved with may have an input to issues that affect us all. It is keen to discuss issues on which there are conflicting views and in which science plays a part, but is not the only aspect to consider.

3. List of speakers for the debate, which will be Chaired by Tom Heap from the BBC:

• Myc Riggulsford is Director of a Communication and Issue Management Consultancy who has in the past worked for the AA and lived and worked near Bristol. Myc will talk about the benefits of car ownership, the security and personal independence that the car offers and the problems of the realistic lack of alternatives (poor public transport) in the Bristol area.

• Alan Davies from Bristol International Airport will provide an overview of the benefits of having a local airport for individuals (cheap and convenient flights) as well as for local business and the obviously improved communication links.

• Dr Tim Chatterton from the Air Quality Management Resource Centre at the University of the West of England who will introduce the work of his unit and highlight relevant information on emissions/modelling/predictions etc.

• Tony Grayling from the Institute of Public Policy Research, will introduce recent research that the IPPR has undertaken on Sustainable mobility and how the research can help transport policy and/or congestion issues.

• Mike Burkin, SW Regional Officer from Friends of the Earth, will speak on the range of issues on transport policy, congestion and the current thinking from Friends of the Earth.

• Austin Williams, Director of the Transport Research Group and a regular columnist on the Daily Telegraph will be taking issue with various points made in the debate title.

Press release: 03/03

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