Health and Transport, Sources of Information

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has produced a series of reviews which look at the health impacts of identified subject areas. Four reviews have been produced in the areas of employment, transport, the built environment and education. All reviews may be found at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaresources. This resource supplements the ‘Health Impacts of Transport’ report. It highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and transport.

IPH response to the National Transport Authority on the Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030

The remit of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is to promote cooperation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the areas of research and information, capacity building and policy advice. Our approach is to support Departments of Health and their agencies in both jurisdictions, and maximise the benefits of all-island cooperation to achieve practical benefits for people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.IPH has a keen interest in the interactions between transport and health. IPH has produced two papers in the recent past on this topic, the most recent being Active travel – healthy lives published in January 2011 which built on the 2005 publication Health impacts of transport. The IPH welcomes the draft transport strategy in terms of addressing each of the key messages outlined in the Active travel – healthy lives paper.IPH is interested in this area not only in terms of increasing ‘active travel’ for healthier lives, but also in terms of the environmental and social impacts of inequitable access to forms of private and public transport.

IPH response to consultation: Introduction of 20mph speed restrictions on smaller residential streets

Conall McDevitt (SDLP MLA) launched a consultation regarding the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions in residential streets as part of his bid to introduce legislation through a Private Members Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.  The purpose of the Bill is to increase road safety, particularly for pedestrians and other road users, with additional health and environmental benefits. IPH submitted a response to the Private Members’ Bill regarding the introduction of 20mph speed restriction on smaller residential roads.  IPH recognises the potential public health benefits of this proposal in terms of reduced injuries and fatalities in built up areas; more opportunities for walking and cycling (helping to tackle obesity and reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke); greater social cohesion among communities and improved mental health; and reduced emissions that contribute to climate change, air and noise pollution.

IPH response to Building an Active Travel Future for Northern Ireland

IPH responded to the Department for Regional Development consultation Building an Active Travel Future for Northern Ireland, March 2012 The draft Active Travel strategy seeks to set out how to increase active travel by demonstrating that walking and cycling are safe, healthy, flexible, inexpensive and social means of travel and by setting out ways in which opportunities for active travel can be significantly improved.IPH welcomes the new Active Travel Strategy and highlights the need for a truly integrated approach to the strategy which has the potential to positively influence health in areas such as obesity, mental health and cardiovascular health.  IPH suggest a health impact assessment is undertaken on each of the Active Travel Demonstration projects to fully maximise the potential health outcomes of developing the required infrastructure for active travel.

IPH response to Department for Regional Development public transport reform consultation

This is the IPH response to the Department for Regional Development's public transport reform consultation.

IPH responds to Northern Ireland Assembly Inquiry into Sustainable Transport

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) aims to improve health on the island of Ireland by working to combat health inequalities and influence public policies in favour of health.  The Institute promotes cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in public health research, training and policy advice. IPH commends the Regional Development Committee on selecting sustainable transport as its subject for inquiry and welcomes the inquiry’s focus on identifying a move to more sustainable transport in Northern Ireland. IPH thanks the Committee for the opportunity to contribute views and experience

Draft Regional Transport Services Strategy - March 2005 (PDF 232 KB)

A Consultation Paper

Regional Transport Services Strategy (PDF 232 KB)

Regional Transport Services Strategy

Get a life, get active...go cycling

This leaflet explains the benefits of regular physical activity, particularly cycling.

'Active Travel' Maps: Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane

New 'Active Travel' Maps, funded by the Public Health Agency, for the cities and towns of Derry/ Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane have been launched to encourage local people and visitors to build physical activity into their day by walking, cycling, jogging, or using public transport.The Active Maps aim to promote health and wellbeing across the five district councils in the West and contain information on local cycle, walk and bus routes as well as useful contacts such as local cycle hire and sales outlets and walking groups, for example.