NATIONAL TARGETS FOR ROAD TRAFFIC REDUCTION

Early day motion 18, tabled 14 May 1997 by Joan Walley (Labour). Signed by 355 members.

That this House is concerned that increases in road traffic will cause more atmospheric pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases, hampering the achievement of the Government's 20 per cent. carbon dioxide reduction target and damaging communities and the countryside; notes the similar concerns expressed in recent reports by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Transport Committee; notes, too, that the CBI has estimated that traffic congestion is costing industry ú19 billion per year; notes the words in the Government's election manifesto that 'a sustainable environment requires above all an effective and integrated transport policy at national, regional and local level' and the acceptance in Consensus for Change 'that the current state of affairs is unsustainable'; believes therefore that road traffic reduction is a vital part of a sustainable transport policy, and accordingly welcomes the passing of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 but regrets that this only applied to local authorities and local roads, believing that this anomaly, whereby traffic reduction targets are required for local roads, but not for national roads, cannot fully enable the establishment of 'an effective and integrated transport policy at national, regional and local level'; and therefore welcomes the proposals for road traffic reduction measures promoted by a cross-party group of honourable Members which sets out a requirement for the Government to consult widely, draw up and implement national transport policies to achieve, in a spirit of partnership a reduction of road traffic miles of 5 per cent. by 2005 and 10 per cent. by 2010.

Signatures by party: Labour 253, Liberal Democrat 45, Conservative 22, Labour/Co-operative 17, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, UUP 3, DUP 1, Independent 1, UKUP 1, Unknown 1.