A TRANSPORT expert has slammed a survey which labelled Huddersfield as a car-friendly town as irresponsible.

Huddersfield was judged one of Britain’s 15th most car-friendly towns in a survey by Virgin Money this week.

But the town was also labelled one of the worst for congestion.

And now Colin Bamford of Huddersfield University says the survey sidelines wider issues such as the environment and public transport.

Prof Bamford, the university’s associate dean, expressed support of congestion charges but says motorists will not leave their cars until public transport is reasonably priced and keeps up with demand.

Prof Bamford, who is head of the university’s logistics department, said: “It’s irresponsible to be saying things like that.

“You have to remember the survey is from a pro-road organisation. Congestion is a feature everywhere.

“‘Car friendly’ isn’t a label somewhere should have because we should be encouraging people to leave their cars for the environment and be mindful of the impact cars have on climate change.

“In principle congestion charging is a good idea but there are other means of reducing traffic such as raising car parking charges with cheaper and more effective public transport.

“But that’s difficult because of the deregulation or buses and trains. In Kirklees some areas are well served by buses.

“That’s unless you’re travelling after 6pm and before 7am when you’ll struggle to find a decent service.

“The cost of bus fares has gone up by up to 40%t more than the rate of inflation. If you’re travelling to and from town with a couple of children you can end up spending £10.

“Bus and train fares are astronomical but the cost of motoring has gone down in real terms.

“The bottom line is there’s not the resources going into transport to cope with the current situation.”