Archived press release

Seventy nine per cent want Government to set road traffic reduction targets, new nop survey reveals

28 January 1998

The overwhelming majority (79 per cent) of the population agree that the Government should set national targets to reduce road traffic a NOP survey for Friends of the Earth has revealed on Friday (30 January). The Road Traffic Reduction (UK) Targets Bill, setting national road traffic reduction targets will be debated by Parliament.

Of the one thousand people surveyed nationwide by NOP between 9 -11 January 1998 [1]

• 79 per cent agreed that the Government should set targets for reducing the amount of traffic on the roads, with 44 per cent “strongly”agreeing.

• 94 per cent agreed that traffic congestion and pollution were a serious problem in this country. Over half (55 per cent) said it was “very serious”.

Ron Bailey, Parliamentary Coordinator for Friends of the Earth, said:
“The Government must not ignore the findings of this survey. The public are sick and tired of the misery caused by too much traffic on our roads and are demanding action. The Road Traffic Reduction Bill has the overwhelming support of voters and mps, and will be a litmus test of the Government's green credentials. The country demands that it supports this Bill.

The Road Traffic Reduction (UK Targets) Bill seeks to reduce traffic by 5 per cent by 2005 and 10 per cent by 2010 (based on 1990 levels). Drawn up by Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru the Bill has been introduced by Cynog Dafis MP (Plaid Cymru).

Two thirds of MPS (424) have given their backing to the Bill's aims with over 350 signing a supportive Early Day Motion (EDM 18). Transport Secretary Gavin Strang and his Minister Glenda Jackson gave their personal support to an identical Bill last year. The Bill also has the support of over 100 national organisations including the British Medical association, the National Asthma Campaign, the Institute of Child Health, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

[1] The survey found that 44 per cent “strongly agree” and 35 per cent “tend to agree”that the Government should set targets for reducing the amount of traffic on the roads.

Fifty five per cent agreed that traffic congestion and pollution were a “very serious”problem in this country with 39 per cent agreeing it was “fairly serious”.

[2] The NOP surveyed people across Britain (some areas not included because sample was so small for that area).

How serious a problem do you consider the level of traffic congestion to and pollution to be:

The Government should set targets for reducing the amount of traffic on roads:

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust