Acceptability of a city-wide transport plan: A thematic analysis of written consultation responses
Journal of transport & health 2024
Garrott K, Hawkins B, Panter J
DOI : 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101956
URL : https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2024.101956
Abstract
Introduction
Policy intervention to reduce car use is required for environmental and health benefits. Multi-component interventions with both positive (i.e. ‘carrot’) and negative (i.e. ‘stick’) strategies are effective in promoting modal shift, but ‘stick’ strategies are less acceptable and often abandoned before implementation. This study aims to understand the arguments surrounding policy acceptability for a multi-component transport plan including both carrot and stick strategies in Cambridge, UK.
Methods
A series of public consultations between 2017 and 2022 informed transport priorities and provided feedback on a range of proposals. The final public consultation sought views on detailed proposals to expand the bus network and invest in sustainable travel infrastructure funded by the implementation of a road user charge. Following the consultation, concessions were made to the plans and they were later abandoned due to a lack of political consensus. We downloaded and analysed written responses generated during the consultation to identify arguments influencing policy acceptance.
Results
From 115 included responses, we identified five themes: (1) support for the overall vision of the transport strategy; (2) mixed support on proposals (favouring carrots but not sticks); (3) concerns about consultation process; (4) concerns about deliverability of proposals; and (5) the effects of the scheme on transport, inequalities and economic growth.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that policy design and communication should focus on perceived effectiveness and equity and building trust among agencies ahead of policy proposals to support the effective implementation of travel policy solutions.
Lay Summary
Efforts to reduce car use through transport policies are important to bring about benefits for the environment and health. Policies that combine incentives (like better public transport) with disincentives (such as road charges) are shown to be effective, but policies that disincentivise people to use the car are often controversial and rejected before they are put in place. This study examined written responses to a public consultation about a proposed transport plan in Cambridge, UK, which included two incentives to expand the bus network and spend money on infrastructure for walking and cycling, and a road charge as a disincentive that would fund the improved bus service and infrastructure. After the consultation, despite adjustments based on feedback, the plan was abandoned due to political disagreement. In this study, we aimed to understand the arguments that influenced the acceptability of this policy from the written responses to the policy consultation. We found five key themes from 115 responses from organisations: general support for the vision, mixed reactions to specific measures (favouring incentives over charges), concerns about the consultation process, doubts about feasibility, and worries about impacts on transport, inequality, and economic growth. The study highlights the importance of clear communication, demonstrating fairness and effectiveness, and building trust to increase public and political acceptance of such policies.