Shadow transport secretary Damian Green has sympathised with the Freight Transport Association (FTA) view that the government has failed to generate confidence in its ability to tackle congestion effectively.
In an address at the FTA’s Freight Summit 2004,
Green argued that the 10-year plan had promised a five per cent reduction in inter urban congestion and an eight per cent reduction in large urban areas.
The result has been a predicted increase in journey times of 30 per cent by 2010. He said: “The solution won’t be a single magic bullet. We will need to use our roads more intelligently. We will need more dualling, and possibly more motorway routes. To fund these new roads we will need more private finance. Our aim is to provide a network which will make it easier for businesses to operate.”
Green also called for greater flexibility when considering the Working Time Directive. He said: “It seems clear to me that we should aim at the maximum available flexibility, while protecting the health and safety of all involved. I would urge the government to lobby for extending the reference period over which average working time is calculated.
The minister claimed that the 10-year plan was overhyped in finding a solution to the transport problem. He said: “Congestion charging seems to create at least as many problems as it solves, while tax incentives for cleaner vehicles are offered with one hand and taken away with the other.”
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