WORSLEY MP Terry Lewis has called for the Government to take the railways and buses back into public ownership, as it was revealed that seven local MPs had backed a Bill calling for targets to cut road traffic.

Mr Lewis is joined by Bolton MPs Brian Iddon, David Crausby and Ruth Kelly in supporting the Road Traffic Reduction (UK Targets) Bill.

The Bill, to be debated in Parliament on January 30, would commit the Government to reduce road traffic levels by five percent by 2005, and 10 pc by 2010, from the 1990 figure and would require the Government to adopt a raft of measures to get people out of their cars and into trains, buses or onto bicycles and their feet.

Also among the 419 MPs supporting the Bill, are Bury's David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis, and Leigh's Lawrence Cunliffe.

Mr Lewis said: "If we are going to be serious, about reducing greenhouse gasses, we will have to do something dramatic.

"The first thing we need to do, is to take public transport - both the rail and bus - back into public ownership."

Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon said: "I am supporting it because we must do something about pollution. Pollution levels will rise unacceptably unless we act now."

Bolton North East's David Crausby said: "I think it's important that we protect the environment. The only real constructive way we can do that, is to reduce the pollution caused by road traffic. It may be an unpleasant solution for some people, but in the long term, is the only realistic option."

FoE's Parliamentary Co-ordinator Ron Bailey said: "This important bill to cut road traffic, has the overwhelming support of MPs. This majority must be honoured, and any attempt to block or obstruct it will be undemocratic and unacceptable.

"The public want to see less traffic on the roads. Before the General Election, Labour promised to reduce road traffic. The Government must now deliver on this pledge by supporting the bill."

Bolton North East's David Crausby said: "I think it's important that we protect the environment. The only real constructive way we can do that, is to reduce the pollution caused by road traffic. It may be an unpleasant solution for some people, but in the long term, is the only realistic option."

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