The MPs' report exposes the hypocrisy in Government transport policy which assumes the cost of motoring will fall by 35% by 2015{1}, and proposes lots more, and bigger roads.  Meanwhile the Government wants to cut congestion, tackle climate change and improve the environment. It just doesn't stack up as a credible strategy, and the MPs are right to put Darling in the dock.'

This was the immediate reaction by countryside campaigners, CPRE{2} to publication of a report, Road Pricing: The Next Steps, by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee today (Thursday){3}. 

CPRE particularly welcomes the MPs' cautionary note for the Government's concept of an M6 Expressway. Their resistance to endorse the concept, coupled with the deep opposition expressed to it during the public consultation, the objections of the Government's environmental advisors, and the misleading evidence on which it is proposed, means the concept should now be withdrawn.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE's Head of Transport Policy, said:

'If we are to avoid gridlock on the roads and tarmacing the countryside, we need to put the brakes on road building and the accelerator on introducing an effective system of road pricing.'

'But, as the MPs say, getting the detail right on road pricing will be critical. Simply lowering the cost of motoring in the countryside could open the floodgates to a lot more traffic and pressure for development on green fields'{4}.

CPRE also welcomes the Committee's:

• recommendation that measures be put in place to avoid diversion of traffic onto unsuitable roads from charging on major inter-urban roads{5}; and
• call that the Government introduce charging on the strategic road network, and does not simply leave the job to local authorities{6} (paragraph 74). CPRE believes this should be applied to proposals to widen the M25, and in the Government's 'growth areas' for housing.

- END -

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Source: DfT website, Future of Transport Assumptions, 2005.

2. CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We promote positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside to ensure change values its natural and built environment. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have 59,000 supporters, a branch in every county, nine regional groups, over 200 local groups and a national office in London. CPRE is a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning. Our President is Sir Max Hastings.

3. CPRE was invited to give evidence to the Transport Select Committee in January 2005.

4. The Committee says that 'the Government should undertake detailed research on the potential impacts of road pricing on both urban and rural locations. Road pricing must not undermine efforts to deliver urban regeneration, or threaten the character of the countryside. If road pricing inadvertently promoted dispersal of land use and economic activity this could work directly against the traffic demand management intentions of the policy' (paragraph 29).

5. 'Charging on the inter-urban network should not be implemented unless measures have been taken to prevent diversion of traffic onto less suitable roads. The potential for a 'corridor approach' to trunk road pricing should be investigated' (paragraph 71).

6. 'The Government cannot expect local authorities to implement charging schemes, while it refuses to test the potential of road pricing on the strategic road network for which it is responsible... the Government must re-think its policy for inter-urban strategic roads, and take responsibility for introducing measures on the congested roads under its control' (paragraph 74).