Green test for Transport Minister - Welsh Lib Dems

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 2nd Oct 2007

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are demanding that Ieuan Wyn Jones proves his green credentials in this afternoon's statement setting out his priorities for transport in Wales.

The party has set out 5 key tests that the Transport Minister must meet to prove his commitment to sustainable transport. They are:

Bus services that are more responsive to the public need

Scrapping the Government subsidy for the North-South air-link

A Cycling Demonstration Towns fund

Better quality rolling stock for the rail network

Integrated ticketing to make travelling easier

Kirsty Williams, transport spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

"With his support for nuclear power, Ieuan Wyn Jones has a lot to do in order to prove his commitment to sustainable development.

"The transport sector is one of the main contributors to climate change. It is one of the key areas for the green switch that Wales needs. But in order for people to get onto public transport it must be convenient, comfortable and clean.

"I want to hear the minister set out plans to use the Assembly's new powers so that the public interest is at the centre of deciding how, when and where bus services operate.

"I want him to commit to reviewing the role that the Government can play in improving rolling stock in Wales - the quality and comfort of trains must improve.

"It's also time that that the Assembly Government did more to promote cycling in Wales. There should be a dedicated fund to invest in improving cycling infrastructure and encourage towns across the country to be more cycle-friendly. We need to ensure that cycling is a practical alternative to the car. Reports that there will be model towns to promote sustainable transport is encouraging. But is the budget and the will there to do this?

"Figures for the 2007/08 Assembly Government spending on Transport show that 49% of this budget will go on roads while a meagre 13% will go towards buses and 4% on Integrating local transport, walking and cycling. This is clearly not spending that promotes effective and efficient public and sustainable methods of travel put rather helps to push people into their cars."