Road Congestion Costs Billions
Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on a report showing that road congestion is the worst ever, said "road congestion costs businesses £15-20 billion pounds a year.

"The Government failed to tackle this problem early in their administration. They added to the difficulties with the disastrous PPP for the London underground and by failing to commit themselves to measures such as congestion charging and genuine support for the bus industry.

"Urgent steps to establish a safe, affordable and reliable public transport system are vital."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Freight Transport Association's Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS) Road network reliability has reached the worst ever level for the period from July to September.

The report, which surveyed FTA members throughout the UK, has revealed that the third quarter of 2002 saw the sharpest increase in congestion that QTAS has recorded since it began in 1997. Seventy five per cent of respondents felt that road congestion is worse than during the same period last year.