§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will encourage more major authorities in the United Kingdom to participate in the European Union Car-Free Cities project as part of his policy to reduce urban congestion, pollution and environmentally damaging emissions. [23125]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government are always interested in effective and innovative approaches to tackling congestion and pollution. Local authorities may well benefit from participating in the Car Free Cities project, or other similar schemes. A number already do, and the Government would certainly encourage others to consider following suit. But such decisions are best taken at the local level, as authorities consider how best to meet their statutory duties under the National Air Quality Strategy and the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997.