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11 Mar 1998
Roger Higman, Senior Transport Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“This research shows that road traffic can be reduced by giving non-car users greater facilities. We hope that John Prescott's Transport White Paper will give local authorities the resources they need to create more traffic free-zones and help reduce the appalling levels of traffic that brings so much misery, cost and pollution.”
“The report also proves that cutting road traffic is eminently achievable. Once again we call on MPs to back the Road Traffic Reduction Bill which is being discussed today by a Committee of MPs.”
Last week FOE published a report that called on the Chancellor to double the £85 million given to local authorities to cut traffic. The report revealed that investing in cycling, walking and travel by bus had a greater potential to cut urban traffic than investment in tramways,railways or roads.
The Road Traffic Reduction Bill seeks “to reduce the adverse environmental, social and economic impacts of road traffic”. If passed the Government will be required to report to Parliament on the setting of targets for road traffic reduction. The Bill was given an unopposed Second Reading by MPs in January and now passes to the Committee Stage.The Bill has cross-party support and now has a very high chance of becoming law. The Bill was drawn up by Friends of the Earth, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, It is being piloted through Parliament by Cynog Dafis MP (Plaid Cymru).
For more information on the UCL Roadspace Reduction Report ring: 020 7918 3271
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
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