§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he estimates traffic levels to be by the year 2000; and what steps have been taken to ensure that the road system will absorb the additional growth.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave him on 11 May 1988 at columns160–61.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria on which traffic forecasts are based.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNational traffic forecasts are based on relationships between traffic and GDP, fuel prices and changes in people's behaviour over time. They are prepared on high and low assumptions about future growth in GDP and fuel prices, to reflect the uncertainty in these factors.
Local traffic forecasts are prepared where necessary for use in the appraisal of specific schemes. They allow for expected local changes in car ownership, population and economic activity.