Archived press release

Councils say yes to transport powers

20 July 1999

A new survey by Friends of the Earth, published one year after John Prescott's Transport White Paper, shows that local councils in England back the traffic reduction policies it contains [1]. But Tony Blair has yet to back his Deputy with the money or the Parliamentary time needed to put the traffic reduction policies into effect.

Friends of the Earth asked all 149 highway authorities [2] in England whether they thought it desirable to put White Paper traffic reduction policies into effect in their area, if they were given the powers and the money. 93 authorities responded. Of these:

. 100% think it desirable to encourage employers to develop green travel plans
. 98% think it desirable to set up safe routes to school programmes
. 97% think it desirable to boost cycling by building bike route networks
. 94% think it desirable to build a bus priority network
. 89% think it desirable to encourage walking by introducing area-wide traffic calming
. 86% think it desirable to tighten parking controls
. 70% think it desirable to re-open a local railway line
. 67% think it desirable to charge for workplace parking.
. 26% think it desirable to introduce road pricing.

Tony Bosworth, Transport Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“Local councils believe traffic reduction policies are needed. But one year on, we are no further forward. Tony Blair must back his Deputy with the money and the Parliamentary time he needs to get Britain out of the jams. And he should show that New Labour is serious about integrated transport by setting a clear target for road traffic reduction.”

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The survey also shows that councils are likely to be sparing in their use of new powers they are given to charge for roads or workplace parking. Of those that think it desirable to use these powers, many want only to do so over part of their area.

Tony Bosworth continued:

“Many councils said they only wanted to use their new powers to charge motorists in part of their area. This shows that local councils are likely to use the new charging powers with care and responsibility.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] On 20 July, 1998, John Prescott published his White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport: better for everyone' putting forward a series of measures that local councils could take to solve traffic problems.

[2] Friends of the Earth surveyed all 149 councils in England with highways responsibilities (county councils, London and metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities) to gauge their views on the White Paper's policies. The results are contained in 'Local Council Attitudes to Traffic Reduction Measures in England'.

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