Lib Dem plans dismiss

05 Apr 2010

Commenting on the Liberal Democrats rail expansion plans, Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said:

"Let's remember the reality of most people's daily lives. More than nine out of ten passenger journeys take place on the roads. Only 7% are by train. To start cutting the roads budget to expand rail services is unlikely to be the best use of scarce taxpayers' money either in financial terms or by way of serving the vast majority of the population. And the public liability does not just end once new lines are constructed. Rail services are heavily subsidised by the Exchequer. It is also a myth to suggest strategic road building is bad for the environment. Cars produce the least CO2 per kilometre when they are moving steadily, so the worst outcome for the planet is to have increasing numbers of vehicles, stuck in traffic jams; jams which will only get worse as the economy recovers and the population grows if none of the major political parties face up to the facts."

ENDS

Contact:

Philip Gomm - Head of External Communications - RAC Foundation

07711 776448 / philip.gomm@racfoundation.org