NEWS RELEASE - February 10th 2000

  A joint release by Friends of the Earth Scotland and TRANSform Scotland

Transport Bill welcomed. 'Useful but needs to go further', say Environment groups

Friends of the Earth and TRANSform Scotland today welcomed the Scottish Executive's proposals for a Transport Bill as a useful contribution to creating an integrated, sustainable transport system for Scotland. However both groups want the Bill to go further to tackle climate change, air pollution and transport-related social exclusion.

FoE and TRANSform would like to see further clauses in the Bill which:

  • link the proposed measures to national and local targets for reductions in road traffic levels.
  • introduce powers to charge for parking at out-of-town shopping centres and offices.
  • introduce powers to declare Home Zones - special low speed limit areas for residential streets.

    FoE's Director, Kevin Dunion, said:
    "These proposals are very welcome and take us in the right direction. They give us the chance to show what will be the benefits of investing in alternatives to the car - in employment, health and quality of life. However the Bill provides no guarantee that we are going to meet the commitments given by the Labour government on climate change and air quality. To do so the Bill would have to go further and indicate targets for reducing vehicle use."

    TRANSform Scotland Chair, David Spaven said:
    "the proposals for road pricing should be welcomed - they offer a unique opportunity to fund a step change in the quality of public transport in Scotland. However, the funds raised from these new motoring charges must be channelled into sustainable transport and not squandered on traffic-generating road building schemes. The number one priority must be to reclaim the streets for people, putting the needs of the pedestrian, the cyclist and the bus passenger ahead of the insatiable demands of the car."

    ENDS

    NOTES TO EDITORS:
    [1] The text of the "The Integrated Transport Bill - the Executive's Proposals" is available on the Scottish Executive website.

    END OF PRESS RELEASE

    		•

    | HOME | NEWS |