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"Public Transport Innovation Needs More Cash Now!" - FOEC Response to Assembly Funding Plans

Responding to the National Assembly Transport Grant announcement today Friends of the Earth Cymru said it was disappointed that the lion's share of the new investment would be taken up in just two road schemes, while bus and rail services still need additional support. £130 million of additional funding is available above last year's £300 million 5 year plan announcement.

Neil Crumpton, transport spokesperson for FOE Cymru said:

"While we welcome the new public transport initiatives, we have to question the balance of this extra funding. Around three quarters of the money is going, basically, to road schemes. Yet this kind of budget could fund a wide range of traffic reducing investments from bus revenue support across Wales to a railfreight terminal at Holyhead.

"If the Assembly is to make a real difference to the transport problems facing Wales then we need to see the bulk of Assembly cash being spent on genuine improvements to the public transport system. Improvements that could bring great benefits to thousands of people. It is a great pity that the Assembly Government has missed another opportunity to make a real policy break from the transport mistakes of the past."