Green policies 'a myth'

Attempts by ministers to portray the Government's transport policies as environmentally friendly are misleading, according to an analysis of spending patterns.

The study, by a group of seven environmental organisations, shows that 75 per cent of the money allocated by the Department of Transport to local authorities is spent on road schemes, whereas only 4 per cent is for cyclists and pedestrians. Lynn Sloman, assistant director of Transport 2000, one of the organisations which produced the report, said: "Money is being thrown at expensive road schemes when it is desperately needed for alternatives." Christian Wolmar