Letter: Planning transport for the future

Sir: I agree with John Adams that the Government has missed an important opportunity to act on the growth in congestion and pollution, which their figures show are on the increase ("We're on a road to nowhere", 26 April).

But Mr Adams is wrong when he suggests that Labour too is lacking direction in transport policy.

In government, we will implement a national transport framework, regional transport strategies and local transport plans. These will tackle transport problems, not least the damaging environmental consequences of vehicle emissions on health and the environment, and the economic effects of congestion (estimated at pounds 15bn per year).

We propose long-term planning to provide people with transport choices, and in doing so provide efficient, convenient and clean alternatives to car use.

People have the right to make transport choices, and it is the responsibility of government to provide these choices.

At present, the failings of rail privatisation, bus deregulation, the lack of provision for cyclists and pedestrians mean that this choice is all too often restricted to the car.

Graham Allen MP

(Nottingham North, Lab)

House of Commons

London SW1

The writer is the Labour spokesman on transport.