§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what 17W anti-congestion traffic measures, other than increased taxation, are being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4116]
§ Ms KeebleWe have forecast that, without the 10-year Plan for Transport, congestion will rise by 15 per cent. across the road network as a whole, and by 28 per cent. on the inter-urban trunk road network by the end of 2010.
With the plan, overall congestion is forecast to fall relative to 2000, as would congestion on the inter-urban trunk roads. Action on relieving congestion will be focused on the most congested parts of the network and therefore much bigger improvements in journey times will be seen in these areas.
The implementation of the 10-year Plan as a whole rather than traffic measures alone, will deliver the planned reduction in congestion, The targets in the plan to increase passenger rail use by 50 per cent. and rail freight by 80 per cent. will be important contributions, as will better local road maintenance, road improvements, the introduction of better bus and light rail services and better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.