An announcement on road charging is also expected

"I will have failed if in five years time there are not... far fewer journeys by car. It's a tall order but I urge you to hold me to it,"
Former Transport Secretary John Prescott, 6 June 1997

"I agree to keep to that commitment - judge my performance in five years."
John Prescott, 20 October 1998.

"The reality is that cars will remain the mode of travel for most journeys for the foreseeable future.

"It would be a mistake to ignore the fact that 80% of journeys are made by people in their cars" -
Then Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, May 2002

"Britain isn't big enough for us to be pouring more and more concrete over its green and pleasant land.

"I don't think there is much sympathy for building a whole new network of motorways around the country."
New Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, June 2002.

"The government has refused to promote restraints on car use for fear of a backlash from motorists - even in circumstances in which most urgent journeys made by motorists themselves are under threat from excessive traffic levels."
Transport Committee report, June 2002

"Our objective must be to provide a better deal for the motorist.

"Today I am endorsing recommendations for improvements to some trunk routes of regional importance.

"For example widening to 3 lanes the A12 from Colchester to the M25; widening the M11 to 3 lanes between junctions 8 and 9 and a northern bypass for Dunstable and dualling the A421 from Bedford to the M1."
Alistair Darling, July 2003.

"Widening a lot of roads, which encourages more traffic and stimulates dispersed travel patterns, is no solution."

"It is like shifting the furniture on a sinking ship.
Spokesman for the Council for the Protection of Rural England, 22 October 2002.