Traffic Pollution (Hansard, 23 April 1993)

§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

There is a wide range of measures already in place or planned which will reduce noise and pollution from road traffic. These include the recently adopted European Commission directive 92/93, which will introduce lower noise limits for cars, lorries and coaches by 1995. Lower noise limits for motor cycles are also being considered in the European Community.

Tight new emission standards for both cars and lorries throughout the European Community are coming in over the next few years. Since the beginning of this year most new cars have to be fitted with catalytic converters. These reduce harmful emissions by about 80 per cent.

The MOT emissions check introduced for cars in November 1991 is helping to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Since 1 September there has been a metered smoke test in the annual test for heavy diesels.

The Government have recently issued a consultative document seeking views on ways of limiting CO₂ emissions. Transport must certainly play its part. We are particularly keen to encourage more economical use of fuel by road transport. We have already taken steps to do this. In the Budget speech, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a 10 per cent. increase in road fuel duties. He also announced that in future Budgets he will increase duty on all road fuels by at least 3 per cent. in real terms. We are also discussing with our EC partners how best to encourage manufacturers to produce more fuel efficient cars.

Measures to reduce congestion in urban areas will also help—these involve a mix of traffic management, parking controls and better public transport. We are also looking at a number of other initiatives which could have the effect, in the longer term, of reducing the rate of traffic growth including road pricing in urban areas and using the planning system to reduce the need for travel.