§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate(a) the rate of road traffic growth which could be expected to occur between 1997 and 2002 if no action was taken to reduce this and (b) the rate of road traffic growth which is now expected to occur following Government action to reduce road traffic growth. [60927]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts were based on previous policies. The increase in total traffic between 1997 and 2002 implicit in the 1997 central forecasts is 9 per cent.
The Department has begun working on a revised set of forecasts which will reflect the new direction for transport provided by the New Deal. This work involves developing new approaches to forecasting traffic and its environmental and economic effects. Once the Commission for Integrated Transport is established next year, it will be advising the Department on our revised forecasts. One of the first things we will be consulting the Commission on is the alternative forecasting approaches we could use. Once we have the Commission's advice on this question, we will be able to complete our plans and announce a target date for publication.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to set targets for reductions in traffic levels(a) nationally and (b) for particular areas; and if he will make a statement. [60928]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 458.