NEWS RELEASE - April 27th 1999

On track for Holyrood: how the party manifestos match up to a sustainable transport future

We also comment on issues that have attracted a lot of media coverage recently - (1) fuel tax and rural transport, and (2) freight and road haulage issues - and see how the parties match up on these issues [see rear page of briefing].

We rank the party manifestos on page one of the briefing, where the Greens come out top.

Of the main parties, the LibDems win our "Train de Grande Vitesse award", while Labour come not far behind - perhaps losing out because of the lack of detail in their manifesto.

The SNP come out as having the most improved transport policy, while the Tories win our "belching banger award" for their hopeless transport policy.

Colin Howden, Campaign Manager of TRANSform Scotland, commented:
"The parties generally show signs that they are listening to the public and committing themselves to promoting public transport, cycling and walking. Only the Tories are still wedded to an environmentally and socially disastrous road-building agenda."

"Labour's Transport White Papers, released last summer under the guiding hand of John Prescott, showed the way forward in transport. However, the lack of new manifesto commitments from Scottish Labour doesn't auger well for those already frustrated at the slow rate of progress."

"The Liberal Democrats and the Greens have gone furthest in integrating provision for pedestrians and good land use planning considerations into their transport policies."

"The SNP have the most improved policies but still have some way to go. They do well in their treatment of rural transport issues, although it is only unfortunate that their public statements on the topic haven't been as well thought through."

ENDS

Notes:
(1) TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport campaign, bringing together 55 organisations - including transport operators, local authorities, environment and conservation groups, chambers of commerce and local transport campaigns - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable Scotland.

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