An influential committee of MPs has warned the government to change its transport priorities to improve the lot of pedestrians who are currently "treated with contempt".

The Environment Select Committee said pedestrians endured some of the worst conditions experienced by road users.

These discourage people from walking.

People out walking make up a quarter of all deaths on the roads.

Spending priorities

The committee wants planning policy changed to discourage the building of out-of-town shopping developments that can only be reached by car.

The MPs want Transport Secretary Stephen Byers to shift the spending priorities of the government's 10-year transport plan away from big projects.

The MPs want a move towards those that encourage people to conduct short journeys on foot.

They warn that without a change of policy the government's efforts to get people out of their cars will remain "pious but unfulfilled".