£10bn Crossrail and road-pricing plans top transport proposals

The government has given the go-ahead for the construction of London's £10 billion Crossrail link as part of a series of reforms designed to create a long-term strategy for a "modern, efficient and sustainable transport system".

Under the plans, Britain's transport networks will get average annual increases of 4.5% over the next three years – from £10.4 billion this year to over £12.8 billion by 2007 – as well as additional spending of 2.25% above inflation each year through to 2015.

The transport department's 'Future of Transport White Paper' looks at the factors that will shape travel and transport over the next 30 years and sets out how the government will respond to the increasing demand for travel – and balance the competing demands of transport efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that central to the strategy was the need to bring transport costs under control, the importance of shared decision making at local, regional and national levels to ensure better transport delivery, and improvements in the management of the network to make the most of existing capacity.

Mr Darling said: "Looking ahead, the challenges we face are clear. As the economy continues to grow, and with increased prosperity, we will want to travel more and the demand for goods from all over the world will grow.

"Our job is to help people travel, not to stop them. The challenge for us is how we meet people's need and wish to do so whilst meeting our environmental aims."

Mr Darling said that the government would "lead a national debate" on the proposals contained in the 'Road Pricing Feasibility Study' – a plan which calls for drivers to be charged for every mile they travel. The study found that a national road-pricing scheme would probably become technologically feasible in 10 years' time.

The controversial measure "has the potential to cut congestion by about a half", Mr Darling said.

(gmcg)