Environment: Cars loved more than environment

Government pleas to lure more people out of their cars and on to public transport appear to be falling on deaf ears, according to a survey out today. Only three in 10 people believe that more efficient trains, tubes and buses will mean fewer cars on the road, said the survey from vehicle inquiry service Equifax HPI.

Three in four motorists say they are against proposals to reduce the number of cars driven, the survey also showed. Also, more than 60 per cent of those questioned feel that the cost of using public transport prevents more people using it.

"Despite the Government's environmental concerns, it seems that we as a nation are more committed to our cars than the environment," said Equifax HPI managing director Tony Worthy.

He went on: "When you consider that new car sales will be extremely high this year, it seems that the British public are more inclined that ever to get behind the wheel, instead of getting on the bus."