NEWS RELEASE

The Transport White Paper:
now put the words into action!

TRANSform Scotland today welcomed John Prescott's Transport White Paper, and expressed hope that the Government is prepared to put its radical words into action.

Amongst other things, we specifically like:

• commitments to socially inclusive transport policies, taking note of the 13 million people in Britain who don't have access to a car;
• powers for Local Authorities to introduce 'road pricing' and 'workplace parking charges', with funds raised being allowed to be retained for sustainable transport measures ("hypothecation");
• commitments to further review Planning Guidance (in England & Wales), so that they reflect sustainable transport policies (e.g. in constraining car-based developments), and with forthcoming Scottish Guidelines to be based on these;
• measures to give priority to pedestrians & cyclists (e.g. 'Safer Routes to School' & 'Home Zones'), and public transport (such as in 'bus quality partnerships');
• more coordination for the rail network: a 'Strategic Rail Authority';
• a cash boost for rural transport;
• a review of speeds policy, and a commitment to enforcing existing motoring laws (e.g. on speeding);
• more environmental criteria for evaluating roads projects, with a switch from road-building to road maintenance;
• pressing for the removal of the worldwide exemption from a tax on aviation fuel;
• and the 'Commission on Integrated Transport' (although we hope it won't put the Government off grasping the nettle of traffic reduction).

• 'private non-residential' parking charges: while 'workplace parking' addresses commuter car parking in towns, there was no commitment to addressing parking at existing out-of-town shopping developments;
• lorry companies not being made to pay for the extra damage they cause from 41- tonne lorries being allowed on the roads;
• no national traffic reduction targets (although the new 'Commission for Integrated Transport' is to study this further);

TRANSform Scotland's Campaign Manager Colin Howden said:
"We support the many and varied measures that John Prescott has outlined for getting people out of their cars and back into public transport, walking and cycling. But we now need to see commitment to action rather than more consultations on policy."

Looking forward to the publication of the Scottish White Paper, Colin Howden continued:
"We hope that the positive tone of John Prescott's White Paper will be equally present in the Scottish White Paper due later this week. It would be a shame if the Scottish Office version leaves us with a second-class transport system, lagging behind the radical measures measures outlined for the rest of the UK.'(1)

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
(1) The Scottish White Paper is expected this Wednesday.
(2) TRANSform Scotland brings together 50 organisations - transport operators, local authorities, national environment campaigns & local transport groups - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable Scotland. We can be contacted at 72 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5QG. Tel.: 0131-467-7714; Fax: 0131-554-8656.

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