MOST journeys made by people in the North are short road trips by car, bus or taxi, a report into the use of the region’s highways highlights.

The study, by Transport for the North (TfN), sets out the “important role” our roads play as, “an efficient, effective and multimodal transport network.”

It emphasises how highways, including footpaths and cycle ways, are part of every journey made, essential for travel to work, school and leisure opportunities, as well as for deliveries needed for homes and businesses.

The report also sets out the scale of the challenge to enhance road safety and reduce environmental impact.

Research reveals that 97-per cent of people making personal journeys in the North of England use public highways, and of these, 61pc are by car or taxi, 26pc are walking, nine-per cent on buses and two-per cent cycling.

It also found just under 90pc of car trips are for journeys of less than 10 kilometres, while 88pc of freight movements are by road.

More than 95pc of the 26m tonnes of transport-related carbon emissions per year in the North are from road transport, while on average rural residents drive more than twice as far per year compared to those living in more urban environments.

Those rural dwellers are said to be more dependent on private transport to access jobs, education and other essential services.

But to ensure the North meets the 2045 target of near-zero carbon emissions from surface transport the report claims 55pc of all new car sales will need to be zero emission vehicles, by 2025, while distances travelled by car, van and hgv must be reduced.

TfN chief executive Martin Tugwell said: “As we move towards the second quarter of the 21st Century our highways will continue to be a fundamental part of our transport system.

“However, as we look to address climate change, we will need to make choices about how we use the available highway space, with greater priority given to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

“We will also need to consider and agree on how we will pay for investment, and, indeed, on how we pay to use our roads.

“We need to do things differently, but at the same time, ensure that our way forward does not disadvantage those for whom travel by car is the only practical option.”

Mr Tugwell added: “As the ‘one voice’ for the North, TfN is committed to ensuring that our roads are fit for purpose.

“We will work with Government and its agencies to identify a way forward that is fair and sustainable, as part of a multimodal transport system that it truly fit for purpose.”

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