Road Transport

HC Deb 18 November 1997 vol 301 cc143-4

34. Mr. John M. Taylor

When he next plans to meet representatives of the British Road Federation to discuss road transport issues. [14876]

Mr. Prescott

I met representatives of the British Road Federation and other transport organisations at a seminar to discuss freight issues on 29 October and on other occasions. My Department has held a number of meetings with the BRF and other organisations as part of the current roads review and to discuss the integrated transport policy.

Mr. Taylor

As the Secretary of State has had the advantage of hearing the opinion of the federation, will he confirm that the Birmingham northern relief road will retain the utmost priority in his roads programme?

Mr. Prescott

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has made it clear to the House that we intend to continue with the Birmingham northern relief road. It is in the programme and dates are being set. It is part of the strategic network and we have decided to continue with building it.

Mr. Blizzard

In the process of integrating our transport system with Europe, will my right hon. Friend recognise the important role of east coast ports such as Lowestoft, in my constituency? Does he accept that we need to improve the way in which those ports are linked to the trunk road system?

Mr. Prescott

Those are some of the strategic decisions that we have to make. To be fair, there has been a programme for some decades giving higher priority to the development of roads to ports. My Hull constituency benefited from that with the M62. We are bearing in mind those important strategic freight considerations.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

In view of the comments from the Opposition Front Bench a few moments ago, no doubt the Secretary of State will wish to remind the British Road Federation that the Conservative party made the biggest cuts in history in this country's roads programme. Will he also tell the federation that the Government will accept the national road traffic reduction targets proposed in a current private Member's Bill?

Mr. Prescott

Yes, we have talked to those organisations about all the aspects that are in our minds. Traffic reduction is crucial. An integrated transport system is about finding out whether we can give more priority to the movement of freight on our roads by better management of the road system. I leave it to the hon. Gentleman to criticise the Tories, who have clearly forgotten that they were in power for 18 years.

Mr. Leslie

Will my right hon. Friend also discuss with the British Road Federation the welcome input on environmental impact and an integrated transport strategy in the roads review? Will he ask the federation its opinion of the Bingley relief road in my constituency, which meets environmental and integrated transport criteria?

Mr. Prescott

How did I know that that would come up? We are considering that in the roads review. When it is complete, my right hon. Friend will give his final statement to the House.

Mr. Ottaway

Will the Secretary of State confirm that he will discuss with the federation what has been described as a "parking blitz" on London, including draconian restrictions and sharp rises in parking charges? Does he accept that a car is still essential for many?

Mr. Prescott

Yes, the car is still an essential component of movement, and it certainly will be. We are asking people to use them less and to use public transport more.

Mr. Ian Bruce

Get to the point.

Mr. Prescott

I am coming to the point.

Parking charges are being advocated by business as one way to deal with London's problems. We are looking into those proposals, and at a range of issues to be considered in an integrated transport system that would encourage more people to go on public transport and to use their cars less. That is essential to ensure the necessary environmental changes that will be agreed at Kyoto in December.