Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

New deal for transport – better for everyone
_______________________________________________________________

date 20 July 1998
source Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
type Press release

note 603

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today unveiled the most radical
reform of transport policy in a generation. The New Deal for
Transport heralds a new era for the travelling public which will make
transport better for everyone.

He said it would provide:

choice for transport users;
integration of transport services;
accountability to users and the nation; and
a revived, modern institutional framework.

It would deliver a transport system which was safe, efficient, clean
and fair.

John Prescott said:

"The country wants a better transport system which does not
continue to damage our environment and people's health. Doing nothing
is not an option. People want radical change and I am going to
deliver it."

The Integrated Transport White Paper sets out a far-reaching plan of
action which includes:

o New income streams for local authorities to tackle pollution and
congestion by levying charges for driving into town centres and for
workplace parking. This will raise money for Local Authorities,
creating a dedicated income stream which will be used to boost public
transport;

o Local Transport Plans, which will require local authorities to
consult with local people, businesses and transport operators to
deliver five-year strategies to meet local needs. These will cover
all forms of transport and include local targets for improving air
quality, road safety, public transport and road traffic reduction;

o Greater investment in bus services, through up-graded Quality
Partnerships between Local Authorities and operators, delivering
faster, more reliable services with modern, comfortable, vehicles;

o National minimum concessionary bus fares for pensioners, which will
mean at least half-price tickets for those who qualify;

o A Strategic Rail Authority, which will take on the task of managing
passenger railway franchising, driving up service quality and with
the power to ensure that operators honour their commitments on
investment and modernisation. The SRA will also have a remit to
deliver a rail freight renaissance;

o A rail infrastructure investment fund and a rail passenger
partnership scheme;

o A national public transport information system by the year 2000,
which will use new technology to improve reliability of services and
provide integrated timetable information, making it easier to plan
and make public transport journeys;

o Reform of the Highways Agency to give it a key role in managing the
trunk road network, possibly with new income streams from tolling;

o A New Deal for the Motorist, which will mean better maintained
roads, better traffic information and management, and a clamp-down on
cowboy clampers and unscrupulous second-hand car salesmen;

o A new Commission for Integrated Transport to provide impartial
advice to Government and to monitor progress on the implementation of
policy; o Integrating transport with land use planning to plan out
car dependence and plan in environmentally-sustainable alternatives;

o Driving up safety by setting tough new targets and reviewing safety
across all transport modes;

o Developing Regional ports and airports so that they play their full
part in meeting local demand and as drivers of local economies and
growth.

Mr Prescott said:

"After 20 years in the wilderness, this is the day transport policy
bursts out into the light of a new dawn.

"My New Deal for Transport represents a powerful balance of radical
policies designed to deliver the right framework for a transport
system which can meet the challenges of the modern age. It is the
product of one of the most comprehensive consultations ever
undertaken by Government, and I am confident it will meet with
widespread approval of all those who really care about our economy,
our health, our mobility and the sort of environmental legacy we
leave for those who follow us.

"Mondeo man can breathe a sigh of relief and breathe a little
easier because this will give him cleaner air, less congestion and
better transport choice. The car will remain an important symbol of a
prosperous, inclusive, mobile society. It is an essential tool for
some people's work. It can also be part of a seamless journey with an
integrated public transport system. But there needs to be a better
balance so that people are encouraged to use the car less and public
transport more.

"It is also about providing people with real choices about how they
travel - for work or for leisure - by setting out exciting new ways
of funding safe, reliable, clean, comfortable public transport.

"And let's not deceive ourselves. We need to make those choices for
we cannot go on as we are.

"No-one really believes that we can allow traffic growth to go
unchecked when projections show that the growth of the motor vehicle
is going to be about 30 per cent in twenty years. That means to meet
that demand I'd have to build a motorway equivalent from London and
Leeds with 150 lanes on it. That is bad for our economy; bad for our
health; and disastrous for our environment and that's why I believe
people are ready to accept our radical approach.

"There is a clear mood for change and I am in a mood to deliver
it. "

"My White Paper sets out the framework for that change and we will
provide new powers and the support needed to make it happen.

"But the way ahead is a shared responsibility and we all have a
part to play in achieving our goal. That's why we want to create new
partnerships at all levels, helping local government, business and
local communities to come together to deliver a truly integrated
transport system which meets the challenge of the 21st century and an
environment we can be proud to hand on to future generations."

The New Deal for Transport means Integration:

within and between different types of transport to make connections
work; between transport and environment policy for a better
environment; with land use planning to reduce the need to travel; and
between transport and our policies on education, health and wealth
creation so that transport helps make a fairer, more inclusive
society.

The New Deal for Transport is published following the most extensive
consultation of its kind. Over 7,300 individuals and organisations
wrote in with their views on transport problems, solutions and ideas
for future transport policy. The consultation was launched last
August and - in addition to the written responses - there were also a
number of regional and national seminars where a cross section of
local people and interest groups were able to put their concerns to
Ministers directly.

Notes for Editors

1. A New Deal for Transport - Better for Everyone: the Government's
White Paper on Integrated Transport is available from the Stationery
Office priced #16.50. ISBN 010139502-7

2. The New Deal for Transport is available on the DETR Internet site.

3. Copies of John Prescott's statement to the House are available
from DETR Press Office. Contact Lesley McLeod on 0171 890 4655.

4. A series of "daughter documents" dealing with various aspects of
the new transport policy, will be published over the next few months.
These include: Trunk roads policy - outcome of reviews in England &
Wales; Railways policy; Bus Policy; Charging Policy - a consultation
on implementing road user charging & workplace parking charges;
Shipping policy - a response to the Working Group on Shipping;
Freight Policy; Road Safety Policy - strategy and targets for the
beyond 2000; Guidance on local transport plans; Inland waterways.

We will also be publishing: a response to the Royal Commission on
Environmental Pollution's report Transport & the Environment'; a
consultation on Climate Change; a report on the review of the
National Air Quality Strategy; a revised strategy for Sustainable
Development; consultation on draft and updated guidance for producing
better development plans (revised PPG12), a new approach to regional
planning (new PPG11), land use and transport (revised PPG13); an
action plan to encourage walking; and progress reports from the
Cleaner Vehicles Task Force

Website: http://www.detr.gov.uk/

# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1998-07-20 DET-001