Archived press release

Tories plot new roads nightmare

6 October 1999

The Tories' lurch to the right at this week's Blackpool Conference, includes a plan to cover Britain's vanishing countryside in up to 100 new roads. The Tory transport paper 'Fair Deal for the Motorist' has been dubbed a “highway to hell” by Friends of the Earth transport campaigner Roger Higman.

Tory transport policies would leave a four billion hole in Treasury finances, wrecking Labour plans to increase spending on health and education. They would also ruin the chance of Britain meeting its international promises to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the main cause of dangerous climate change. The gradual fall in the number of serious accidents to child pedestrians in Britain could also be halted.

Friends of the Earth's analysis of the Tory plans is set out in a new Briefing Paper: 'Tax,Transport and the Tories'. It shows that Conservative transport policies would:

. cost the Treasury £2,950 million next year and £4,250 million each year thereafter
. halt the gradual fall in the number of deaths and serious injuries to children on British roads. In 1997 171 children were killed and 4,799 seriously injured while walking or cycling. Death rates for British child pedestrians are higher than in France, Germany, Italy and Sweden
. damage up to twenty three major wildlife sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest)and four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
. make life worse for people who depend on public transport for some or all of their journeys. These include almost three-fifths of the poorest households, four-fifths of pensioners and two-thirds of women.

Friends of the Earth's Senior Transport Campaigner Roger Higman said:

“The Tories' so-called “Fair Deal for the Motorist' would put Britain straight on a highway to hell. It would cost a fortune, cause more kids to be killed in accidents,wreck the countryside and increase traffic and pollution”.

“The Tories know that cutting motoring taxes and building roads isn't a long term solution to Britain's transport problems. Their 'Fair Deal' is really a grubby attempt to scrounge a few votes at the expense of everyone's long-term interests”.

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