HL Deb 22 July 1993 vol 548 cc55-6WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a doubling of motor-car numbers and the provision for them of a network of 12-lane superhighways is compatible with the commitment to "sustainable development" the Prime Minister undertook on Britain's behalf at the Rio Conference, and how the public transport alternatives have been explicitly considered (as was undertaken by the Government at paragraph 16.06, page 9, in their response to the report of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment of March 1992).

The Earl of Caithness

Road traffic growth is largely linked to economic growth. It would be unrealistic to set a ceiling on this. However, the forecasts of traffic demand do not represent targets which we are seeking to meet and they do not imply that road space will be increased in proportion to growth in traffic.

We will issue a report on its programme for sustainable development by the end of the year. A consultation document seeking views on the content of the report will be issued in the near future.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of their commitment at paragraph 16.16 (page 9) in their Response to the Report of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment of March 1992 to "ensuring closer integration between transport and land use planning", what studies have been commissioned, and by whom, of the effect on (a) overall land-take (including parking space), and (b) traffic in towns and cities, of the doubling of the number of motor-cars by the year 2025 and of a network of 12-lane superhighways.

The Earl of Caithness

No such studies have been commissioned because there is no direct correlation between growth in the number of motor-cars and land-take for roads or parking. We recognise that forecast demands for traffic growth in urban areas cannot be met in full. For example, it is already policy not to build new roads simply to facilitate commuting by car into the more congested urban centres. In respect of inter-urban demands, our policy is to invest in road building only where it is justified after taking into account fully the economic and environmental objectives. The Government is currently considering a number of initiatives which could have the effect of reducing the rate of traffic growth in the longer term.