Archived press release

Don Foster MP to introduce Road Traffic Reduction Bill as Private Members Bill

13 November 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[2] The Locomotives on the Highways Act (1896) repealed clauses in the Locomotives Act (1865) and Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act (1878).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 The requirement to carry a flag was repealed in 1878, though vehicles still had to be preceded by a person on foot, and the practice of carrying a flag continued until 1896.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".

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