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13 Nov 1996
Don Foster MP said:
"The Road Traffic Reduction Bill will correct the imbalance that has
existed in British transport policy for decades. It will force the Government
to reduce traffic levels, cutting pollution and helping industry by reducing
congestion."
Charles Secrett, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"Millions of people throughout the country are suffering from air
pollution and other effects of rising traffic. We are delighted that Don
Foster MP has agreed to introduce the Road Traffic Reduction Bill to make
the Government cut traffic levels."
Photo call: Don Foster MP will be present
for a photo call with three children in pollution masks on the western
side of Westminster Bridge, SW1 at 2:00 pm, Tuesday,12 November.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The Road Traffic Reduction Bill has been
promoted by Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and the Plaid Cymru
Parliamentary Party. If passed, it would:
- require the Secretary of State for Transport
to draw up a "National Road Traffic Reduction Plan" to achieve a 5% reduction
in road traffic miles by 2005, and 10%by 2010;
- ensure the Plan is reported to and debated by
Parliament annually;
- require Local Authorities to draw up local Road
traffic Reduction Plans authorising measures they consider appropriate
to curtail traffic in their area;
- enable parish and town councils to draw up road
traffic reduction plans.
The principle of a 10 per cent cut in traffic
levels was supported by the Liberal Democrat conference in 1995. Don Foster
is the Member of Parliament for Bath.
[2] The Locomotives on the Highways Act (1896)
repealed clauses in the Locomotives Act (1865) and Highways and Locomotives
(Amendment) Act (1878). Under the Locomotives Act (1865), every locomotive
"propelled by steam or any other than animal power" was required
to be preceded "by not less than sixty yards" by a person on foot
carrying "a red flag constantly displayed". The requirement to
carry a flag was repealed in 1878, though vehicles still had to be preceded
by a person on foot, and the practice of carrying a flag continued until
1896.
On 13 November, 1996, Coventry City Council and
sections of the motor lobby are celebrating the centenary of the Locomotives
on the Highways Act (1896) as the anniversary of "the emancipation of
the motorist".
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
