How do Blackpool’s transport policies help people to be healthier?
Walking and
cycling to work, school or for leisure, can provide a significant part of the 30 minutes exercise per day that is recommended to maintain health. If this is part of a daily routine, no additional effort to exercise is needed. Bus users also tend to take more exercise than car drivers (CIVITAS project).
The Council's efforts to promote
walking, cycling and bus travel, including
child road safety training,
adult cycle training and bus infrastructure and priority schemes have significant health benefits and this is a principal reason such policies are pursued. Exercise can improve quality of life, reduce the burden on the NHS considerably by reducing cardio-vascular disease levels and other fitness related conditions and contribute to the economy by improving workforce performance.
The Travel and Road Safety Team work with
health promotion initiatives and
sport development both within and without the Council. Transportation Division have also supported the Primary Care Trust's public health promotion and health inequalities initiatives. The
Cycling Towns initiative has provided a further vehicle to promote health through cycling, notably a series of high profile promotional events and boosting training provision for adults and children.
Traffic growth management, improved pedestrian facilities, supporting cycling and maintaining bus and cycle access to important destinations, will also help health improvement.
Pollution from motor vehicles, including sulphurous and nitrogenous gasses, and fine particles can exacerbate lung conditions. The council has declared a town centre air quality area to reduce pollution impacts.