PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
NATIONAL TARGETS FOR ROAD TRAFFIC REDUCTION (11 February 1999)

That this House is concerned that increases in traffic will increase atmospheric pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases, hampering the achievement of the Government's 20 per cent. carbon dioxide reduction target and damaging communities and the countryside; notes the similar concerns expressed by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Transport Committee; notes, too, that the CBI has estimted that congestion costs industry ú19 billion per year; notes the words in the Government's election manifesto that 'a sustainable environment requires above all an effective and integrated transport policy at national, regional and local level;' and the acceptance in Consensus for Change 'that the current state of affairs is unsustainable'; believes, therefore, that traffic reduction is a vital part of a sustainable transport policy; accordingly welcomes the inclusion of Green Transport Plans in the recent guidance to local authorities and the passing of Road Traffic Reduction Acts in 1997 and 1998, but regrets that thus far targets are only required locally, believing that this anomaly, whereby traffic reduction targets are required for local roads, but not for national roads, cannot fully enable the establishment of 'an effective and integrated policy at national, regional and local level'; and therefore welcomes the proposals for traffic reduction promoted by a cross-party group of honourable Members which sets out a requirement for the Government to consult widely, and draw up and implement national policies to achieve, in a spirit of partnership, a reduction of traffic miles of 5 per cent. by 2005 and 10 per cent. by 2010.

Sponsored by:
Joan Walley (Labour)