Focus of work
Transport Action Network (TAN) was set up in 2019 by Chris Todd, a transport campaigner with over 30 years’ experience. With many campaigning organisations moving their focus to supporting electric vehicles, Chris felt that cutting levels of road traffic and reducing road building were still vital elements in making transport sustainable. Now a team of six, TAN
continues to fight damaging road schemes and push for more sustainable transport options.
TAN’s work focuses on three key elements:
1. Supporting grassroots campaigners: TAN provides advice and support to local communities, including advice on how best to engage with national and local authorities, support with complex planning examinations, advice on media and campaign strategies, and support with fundraising. It also provides networking opportunities through organised workshops, training events and conferences, enabling campaigners to learn from each other.
2. Challenging national government:
TAN responds to national and regional consultations and submits evidence to select
committees, being called twice to give oral evidence to the Commons’ Transport Committee. TAN has challenged the government over the Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2) in the High Court, its failure to review the national roads policy, and its approval of some big road schemes. It also mobilises supporters through letter writing campaigns, responding to major consultations on transport and planning policy.
3. Raising awareness of roadbuilding in the media: TAN issues press releases on significant events and has achieved national media coverage. It also maintains a consistent presence on social media.
In 2021, TAN set up Low Traffic Future, an alliance that aims to build a movement of
individuals and organisations pressing for action locally and nationally to reduce
society’s dependence on cars
Impact
TAN has provided support to many people and groups since it launched, responding to hundreds of queries. It has provided campaign and tactical advice to road campaigners, helping them to find sources of funding and expertise.
TAN were there for us at every turn of our campaigning – offering advice and support with anything from organising demos, to working with our politicians, to responding to the unpredictable actions of National Highways.
Stuart Bennett, Campaign Coordinator, Save Rimrose Valley
TAN has also set up regional transport networks to bring campaigners together to share information and tactics and to grow their influence.
TAN’s campaigning, and its mobilisation of campaigners, has raised the profile of
the environment and road safety in transport planning, and has brought to light the
damage of roadbuilding and the harm caused to people by a lack of transport
choice.
While there have been disappointments along the way, there have also been notable successes, for example, it has successfully lobbied with local campaigners to get ten road schemes cancelled, including the A27 Arundel Bypass, A303 Stonehenge and A5036 at Liverpool (Rimrose Valley). Over £5.5 billion has been saved from going into road expansions, whilst 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions have also been prevented. TAN was also successful in legally challenging cuts to active travel funding under Rishi Sunak.