§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of the recent report by the Association of County Councils into increased traffic forecasts when considering the future of his roads programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 20 November 1991]: My right hon. Friend welcomes the Association of County Councils' report "Towards a Sustainable Transport Policy" as a contribution to the important debate on how we should respond to the continuing growth in demand for travel, both in urban areas and between them. A range of measures is needed, including investment in roads, and in public transport, traffic management, and attention to land use planning. The Department's road traffic demand 243W forecasts are not a target; the programme of investment in inter-urban road improvements strikes a balance between the economic benefits from avoiding future congestion, which are recognised in the report, safety benefits, and environmental and other considerations.