Norris Has Car-first Agenda For London

12.00.00am GMT Wed 22nd Oct 2003

Commenting on the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London's Transport policies which include plans to scrap congestion charges and instead consider building tunnels under the capital for cars and charging motorists 'expressway tolls', Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP said:-

"Steve Norris agenda is clearly a car-first agenda. After millions of pounds spent on congestion charge it is ludicrous for him to consider scrapping all this investment only to decide to plough money into building tunnels under the capital that would cost billions. It is the case that Mr Norris is planning to rob Peter to pay more to Paul.

"Much of Steve Norris transport policy would be the agenda for any new Mayor. More school buses, better signs, and better enforcement are priorities for everybody to get London moving.

"Mr Norris fails to see that investing in public and not private transport is the key to reducing congestion in the Greater London area.

"As non-executive director of Jarvis which owns Tube Lines, Mr Norris is once again embroiled in track maintenance scandals that are crippling London's infrastructure. The conflict of interest between the company he is paid by, and the failure to tackle the debate on public transport speaks for itself."

"London will move well only if buses, tubes and trains are improved; walking and cycling are more common and safer, and we accept the principle the better that public transport is, the better the whole of London will be served."