Archived press release

Two thirds of MPs support new law to reduce traffic

5 January 1998

Two thirds of MPs have given their support to a Private Members Bill setting national targets for road traffic reduction, it was revealed today [1]. The Road Traffic Reduction (UK Targets) Bill [RTRB], which will be debated in Parliament on 30 January, has been backed by 419 MPs. This number includes Transport Ministers Gavin Strang and Glenda Jackson and 27 other members of the Government [2].

Although the Government has so far failed to back the Bill, many key members have given their support. Earlier this year Gavin Strang wrote "I strongly support the objective of this Bill. There is an urgent need to reduce road traffic" [3]. And Glenda Jackson signed a public petition in support of the Bill.

FOE has written to all MPs asking them to vote for the Bill on 30 January - or at least not to block it in view of the majority support.

Ron Bailey, Parliamentary Co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth, said:
"This important Bill to cut road traffic has the overwhelming support of MPs. This majority must be honoured and any attempt to block or obstruct it will be undemocratic and unacceptable. We want all MPs who support traffic reduction to turn up and vote for the Road Traffic Reduction (UK Targets) Bill on 30 January"

"The public wants to see less traffic on the roads. Before the General Election Labour promised to reduce road traffic. Ministers have formally given their support, now they must deliver on this pledge by supporting the Road Traffic Reduction (UK Targets) Bill".

The RTRB was drawn up by Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, and has been introduced by Cynog Dafis MP (Plaid Cymru). If passed, the Government will be required to reduce road traffic levels by 5 per cent by 2005, and 10 per cent by 2010 (based on 1990 levels). To meet the targets the Government will have to adopt a raft of measures from encouraging more sensible car use to investing in alternatives such as better public transport and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

The RTRB is anti-traffic, not anti-car. It has been introduced in response to the pollution,destruction and expense of excessive road traffic which, according to the Government, is expected to grow by at least 38 per cent over the next 20 years [4].

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] 419 current Members of Parliament have so far given their backing to the RTRB. 349 MPs (53 per cent) have signed Early Day Motion 18 supporting the Bill. The others have either told constituents they support the RTRB or pledged their support to an identical Bill earlier this year. full list of supporting MPs is enclosed in Traffic Reduction File 10 (it is also available on request).

[2] Current Government members, including Gavin Strang and Glenda Jackson supported the RTRB when in Opposition. As well as signing an EDM, Glenda Jackson also signed a petition (below) on 8 February 1997 calling for a 10 per cent national reduction target to be set.

[3] Correspondence available from FOE.

[4] National Road Traffic Forecasts 1997

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust