BMA calls for health considerations in transport planning

The British Medical Association (BMA) has published a new report calling for health issues to be placed at the heart of future transport planning efforts by the government.

Entitled Healthy Transport = Healthy Lives, the document observes that traffic levels have risen steadily over the last 60 years, creating detrimental effects such as a higher accident rate, greater air and noise pollution, and a reduction in the number of people walking and cycling.

According to the BMA, this is exacerbated by a government approach to transport and community planning that prioritises economic concerns over health, leading to a poor standard of public transport and a lack of walking and cycling routes.

The report includes an action plan to refocus transport policy in the UK, with priorities including reduced congestion and the implementation of safer pedestrian pathways.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, director of BMA Professional Activities, said: "The report urges the government to introduce transport policies in the UK that will encourage behavioural change so that people use their car less, where possible."

This comes after the organisation called on the government to do more to preserve outdoor play spaces for children and families last month.