Three quarters of the public say the Government should cut traffic levels on Britain's roads and seven out of ten want more spending on public transport, a survey for Friends of the Earth reveals today (WEDS) [1]. The views of AA and RAC members were also polled - they also wanted action to reduce traffic levels and said better public transport is a higher priority than road building. Despite this, the motoring lobby is urging the Government to prioritise road building in its forthcoming review of transport policy [2].

The survey findings coincide with the release of a new report by Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000 on behalf of the "Way to Go" coalition [3]. Paying for Better Transport says that the Government could dramatically improve transport for both people and the environment by increasing investment in public transport and safer streets.

The report says that the investment could be funded by saving up to £8 billion by cancelling expensive and damaging road infrastructure projects (4) and by raising an extra £24b-£36b in funding by changing motoring taxation (5) and introducing higher Vehicle Excise Duty for the most polluting vehicles. (6)

The survey revealed percentage support for various propositions as follows:

The report also shows that investment in better public transport and safer streets would benefit the poorest in society most whereas current Government policies such as road building mainly benefit high income households, according to Government figures [7].

Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner Tony Bosworth said:

"The overwhelming majority of the public think there's too much traffic on our roads and want Government action to tackle the problem. Members of motoring organizations think the same. People want better public transport and safer streets for cycling and walking, not more road-building. Alistair Darling must reflect this when he reviews spending on transport in July."

Barbara Gill, chairman of National Federation of Women's Institutes, said:

"It is quite clear that our transport system isn't working for people, communities or for the environment. Declining levels of public transport were identified as one of the most serious concerns of WI members in The Changing Village, our report on services in rural areas. The National Federation of Women's Institutes would like to see a serious commitment to improved public transport and safer streets at the heart of the government's revised 10 year plan for transport."

Transport 2000 Assistant Director Vicky Cann said:

"The views of AA and RAC members appear to be no different to those of the rest of the public. They want less traffic on the roads and think investment in public transport is more important than road building. It's high time the motoring lobby listened to its members and reflected their views"

David Harker, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, another member of the Way to Go coalition, said:

"Evidence from Citizens Advice Bureaux across the country shows that poor public transport makes it harder for people to travel to work, the shops, post offices and hospitals because of infrequent or expensive public transport. Some even end up in debt because they have to run a car which they simply can't afford but can't do without. All parts of government - both central and local - must stand up to the challenge of getting Britain moving."

The Government will set out its spending plans and priorities for the next decade when it publishes its revised 10 year plan for transport in July.

NOTES

[1] 2062 people were interviewed by YouGov on 27 - 29 April. Of these, 24 per cent said they were AA members and 18 per cent belonged to the RAC.

[2] Earlier this month Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation (the charitable arm of the RAC) said: `` UK roads will simply not be able to cope if traffic levels continue to grow at 1.8% a year, without significant and sustained investment by government into the road network". Earlier this year the RAC Foundation called for the Government to spend £20 billion in the next decade on road building and widening (`Congestion cripples commerce' press release 21/04/04). Later this week it is believed the RAC Foundation and the AA Motoring Trust will join other groups including the CBI and the Freight Transport Association in launching a media campaign to urge the Government to widen many of Britain's motorways (`Freight' magazine May 2004).