Archived press release

Labour "wobbling" on traffic reduction promises?

18 September 1997

On the day that the Royal Commission publishes its new report [1] on transport and the environment, Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru are expressing concerns that the Labour Government may break yet another green pre-election pledge by failing to back national transport targets and reduce traffic on the UK's congested roads. Next week thousands of people are expected to attend the Fuming Mad [2] rally calling on the Government to support a new law to reduce road traffic [3].

Before the General Election, Labour categorically promised to set national transport targets and reduce traffic. The Labour Policy Handbook [October 1996], said "transport targets [will be] set at both the national and local level" and that Labour would "reduce then reverse traffic growth". However, recent correspondence with the Department of Environment and Transport [DETR] Policy Unit seems to indicate that the Governmemt is wobbling on its pledges. A letter from Mr John of the Policy Unit [4] says only that "the potential for setting transport targets will be central to the review [of transport policy]"[our emphasis] and that the "Government is concious of...problems caused by increasing traffic levels". Furthermore, Labour's recent consultation document,Developing an Integrated Transport Strategy, further weakens it's policy commitment by asking "Would transport policy be enhanced by adopting a range of transport targets?". If targets are a firm policy why ask the question?

David Taylor, the Green Party Principal Speaker said:
"The new Labour Government appears to be backsliding on promises made before the election. They approved the Birmingham Northern Relief Road, yet before the election they said they would stop it. They also said they would set targets for reducing traffic and now they are wobbling on that too."

Tony Juniper, Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"Setting targets for reducing traffic is one of the most important things the Government can do to tackle the transport crisis we face. It is essential that the Government keeps its pre-election pledge to reduce traffic by supporting the Road Traffic Reduction [UK Targets] Bill."
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The Fuming Mad Rally takes place from 2pm on Saturday 27 September in Trafalgar Square. The rally is in support of the Road Traffic Reduction [UK Targets] Bill, which has been introduced as a Private Members Bill by Cynog Dafis MP. The Bill, drafted by FOE, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, sets national targets for reducing traffic.

ENDS

Notes
[1] The Royal Commission Report Transport and the Environment: Two Years On is published on Thursday 18 September at 11am.

[2] The Fuming Mad Rally is being organised by FOE, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru,The Townwomen's Guilds, the National Asthma Campaign and the National Federation of Women's Institutes. The rally will also draw attention to the need for tough international targets for combatting dangerous climate change. More Information is available from the FOE press Office. A public information hotline is available on 020 7566 1698.

[3] The Road Traffic Reduction [UK Targets] Bill - drafted by Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru - has been introduced to Parliament as a Private Members Bill by Plaid Cymru MP, Cynog Dafis. The Bill, which would lead to a 5 per cent reduction by 2005, and a 10 per cent cut by 2010 (based on 1990 levels), is due to be discussed on 30 January 1998. An Early Day Motion supporting the Bill has so far been signed by 328 MPs.

[4]Letter from Robert John of the DETR Policy Unit 24 July 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