John Ch

Dear John

I'm writing to you, again because your knowledge and eloquence in arguing our case is a huge asset for us Climate activists.  I also strongly supported you, by writing, in trying to get our alternative proposal for Smallbrook Queensway to be adopted.  I also support Toqueer with a monthly sum.

On Saturday, like Rajan of XR, you also disagreed with me (or, it was not your priority) over my 40 years of writing about the destruction of our regional railway network for Metro tram expansion.  It really is the authorities' top transport spending to relieve road congestion and reduce GHG emissions.

John, I would love you to put me right over my contention that the billions being spent on GHG emissions for tram expansion, should and must be our top priority in arguing our case to the decision makers - the Senior Leadership team at 16 Summer Lane.  My case, below:

WMCA is causing Climate catastrophe by ...

• Allowing congested main roads near or alongside existing but unused​/partly used railway lines.
• Stourbridge Junction ​is very well used but its second mainline railway - once as equally important as the one in use - is used only for freight.
• Instead, people pile into their cars and add to the deepening Climate Emergency and congested roads.

• Why not use existing transport infrastructure for their design purpose​ and a century of use?

• Why not get the existing public transport at least as good as the average on the mainland of Europe?

• Would 150 miles of tramways simply make for a more complicated and slower public transport journey - with three modes instead of two - meaning more changes?

• The tram is like a "bus on rails" and, therefore, accelerates the Climate Emergency with all the concrete and steel having to be used, when both are very high in greenhouse gas emissions from ​their manufacture.

My suggestions to enable the low-hanging fruit to be picked first.   (timweller1@gmail.com)

1. TfWM/WMCA intention is to spend £15 BILLION (Jan 2020 figure) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 150 miles of tramways in our region.

2. INSTEAD, could that money go on extending Fare-Free Public Transport (FFPT) to everyone in the region?

3. Spend it on electric buses and finishing the electrification of the railway network.

4. Spend it on level access from pavement bus stop to bus door - for smooth access for all on four wheels or pushing four wheels.

5. Spend it on returning TRAINS to the remaining railway network and not trams.

6. Spend it on recording and fining those thoughtless car commuters who could leave their motors at home and enjoy the reward of FFPT.  In this way, the roads are freed up for essential vehicle users and GHG are reduced.

7. Spend it on retrofitting the homes of the poorest to make their houses solar-powered, energy-efficient and super-insulated.  Get the money back from wealthy landowners by the established practices.

My personal example - if I can do it ... My own house completed Climate compliance on 30 November 2023 when the gas meter was taken out​ (and £30/mth total energy, less a huge sum in what I export)!  In 1992/3 I gave up my right to claim car mileage by cycle commuting and, on official council business, cycling for work calls - for over 90% of the days for the last 20 years of work.  So 15p/mile instead of 40p/mile!

I've had regional FFPT for the last 17.5 years.  Everyone needs it!   (0791 380 4363)

The people to write to:  customerservices@tfwm.org.uk    AND    customerservices@wmca.org.uk