Better Transport

Studies show that once a road carries about 100 vehicles an hour on it, people stop viewing the space as a shared space, and see it as a space just for cars. Yorkshire & the Humber does better than any region at keeping vehicle levels to that magic figure. It also does better than average at making sure people can quickly get to the shops, work and the hospital by public transport or walking. Combined, these things make walking, cycling and public transport attractive options for people.

Many people say they are satisfied with local bus services. So why is the region still quite dependent on the car? It might be because fares are rising faster than inflation even though the public transport network isn’t improving much. And people wouldn’t be so dependent on their cars if they felt it was safe to travel on the road as a cyclist – but right now the region has the highest rates of car accidents injuring or killing cyclists and pedestrians.

Your turn

What do you think of these results? Score the scorecard.

Want to know more? Read the full research or a summary report. 

Some comments we've received

William Kirby in Huddersfield: "Yorkshire & the Humber is probably the most varied region in England. Much of West and South Yorkshire is heavily urbanised and densely populated, with generally good rail services - but bus services are contracting, patronage is static and some roads are horribly congested at peak periods. Minor urban roads may have low traffic levels, but the downside of that is that car drivers often drive far too fast. 20 mph zones should be introduced - but they would have to be enforced. By contrast, the E and N of the region is sparsely populated and public transport is often limited - though exceptions exist along the east coast (tourism and commuting to Scarborough and Hull). Northern is to introduce improved Sunday services on the Scarborough-Bridlington-Hull line next year. Much of the region's medium-distance rail network is operated by First TransPennine, which has high fares compared with those charged by Northern; outside the PTE areas, they are comparable with fares in SE England!"

Philip Baldock in Ganton: "With a high percentage of rural roads and small communities, personal transport without a vehicle is difficult.  The local park and ride in Scarborough combined with the replacement of roundabouts with traffic lights has only incresed the congestion in that area."

Phil Greaves in Otley: "It is important to note that there are significant deviations. As an example, Otley has recently lost most of its bus links to Bradford (the nearest major city), and while links to Leeds have improved during the day, off peak there is just one service per hour. This does not always turn up. Similarly westwards to Skipton and Addingham etc. - sparse if any off peak services. To the east, Pool-in -Wharfedale receives a connection to Otley-Leeds if the airport bus is running on time or early. A few minutes late and hard luck. There needs to be more focus on medium-sized towns which do not receive the major city or cross-county subsidies."

Ian Wood in Leeds: "Minor urban and rural roads are generally very quiet and excellent for cycling - in fact they are worth seeking out (even it if prolongs your cycle journey) because the main urban roads are horrible. Even the ones with so-called cycle lanes - generally these lanes are just painted lanes on the main carriageway, potholed usually and not well maintained."

Josie Downs in Swinton, near Malton: My experience of living in a rural part of Yorkshire does not square too well with the scorecard comments. Buses are mostly too infrequent to persuade people to switch away from their cars. Where I live two miles from the market town of Malton, there are no evening buses and no Sunday or Bank Holiday buses. On a weekday, buses are never more frequent than hourly.  This is better than some villages which may have a bus once or twice a week or no bus at all ever. I don't have to pay, being a pensioner, but for other people the price (which rises every year) is probably offputting.

Regional results

East Midlands East of England North East North WestSouth EastSouth West West Midlands Yorkshire & the Humber