Bumper to bumper

Gridlock Warning by FoE

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to take urgent action to cut traffic levels. If not it says Britain's cities could be at a standstill by the year 2010.

The warning comes ahead of a Government Green Paper on transport policy this week, which will suggest radical plans to beat congestion and pollution.

Priority for cyclists

Schemes such as charging motorists to enter town centres and measures to improve public transport are expected to be put forward by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

But the Government is anxious that the paper should not be seen as being anti-car.

However, Mr Prescott is aware that the dual problems of congestion and pollution must be tackled and alternatives to the car have to be found.

Interested parties will have the chance to respond to the consultation paper and their views will be taken into account when the Government publishes a transport White Paper next spring.

No green light for cars

Mr Prescott is keen to ensure that if some curb is put on car use, then improved public transport links are put in place to give motorists a viable alternative.

Surveys have shown that more motorists would leave their cars at home if public transport was more reliable.

In its bid to introduce an integrated transport policy, the Government wants to see, for example, more park-and-ride schemes and closer links between bus and rail links.