NEWS RELEASE

Friday 1st December 2006

Comment on Eddington Review:
Support for road pricing welcomed - now time for government to take action

TRANSform Scotland have issued an initial response to today's Eddington Review on transport and the economy. [1] TRANSform Scotland met with Sir Rod Eddington when his study team visited Scotland last December.

Paul Tetlaw, Chair of TRANSform Scotland, said:

"We welcome the main thrust of Eddington's report, in particular that the transport sector, including aviation, should meet its full external social and environmental costs. Doing this would at a stroke change peoples' individual transport choices.

"Eddington is right to say that 'road pricing is an economic no-brainer'. Government must now move speedily to implement this key policy. It's high time to stop the general whingeing and get on with the job. This may be an economic report but implementation of the key findings will deliver significant health and environmental benefits for all of us - and that's another no-brainer."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] TRANSform Scotland

TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, campaigning for a more sustainable and more socially-just transport system. Our membership includes bus, rail and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, consultancies and local transport campaigns.

[2] Evidence to Eddington Review

TRANSform Scotland's evidence to the Eddington Review is available at: <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2006-01-12_Eddington_Study.pdf>

END OF NEWS RELEASE