Transport Plans: Many Questions, Few Answers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2004

Commenting on the Government's Transport White Paper, published today, John Thurso MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

"This White Paper is something of a curate's egg. it certainly raises many issues and asks the right questions, but is notably light on answers".

"Much is said about the rate of traffic growth and its consequences, but very little attention is given to the causes of that growth. It is difficult to see how Ministers expect to find the solution, when they don't even understand the problem.

"Alistair Darling is right to draw attention to the difficult choice and competing demands of more travel and less emissions. It is vital that emissions are not only halted, but reduced. This will be the measure of success that the White Paper will be judged by".