Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Government policies to persuade us to use smaller, greener cars are failing spectacularly according to statistics released by the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Figures show that over the course of a five years period 4% of Welsh motorists have switched to bigger engines. Whilst the overall number of private cars and light goods vehicles registered in Wales has increased by approximately 230,000, the number of vehicles with small engines, less than 1,200 cc, has decreased by around 8,600.

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment Mick Bates, AM said:

“Vehicle registration in 2006 showed that two thirds of motorists in Wales now drive a car with an engine above 1,500cc which is an increase of 4% on 2001. The same set of data shows that the number of motorists with vehicles of 1,500cc or below has decreased by the same percentage.

“These figure show quite clearly that the Labour Government is failing to persuade people to switch to cleaner, greener cars. The policy is flawed particularly for those on low incomes or those in rural areas who cannot afford new cars. The Westminster Government must urgently review its policy on transport if we are to reach key sustainable targets in the UK.”

The new Sustainable Development in Government 2007 report highlights that latest figures show carbon emissions from vehicles increased by 1.5% against the 2005/06 baseline.

Commenting Mick Bates adds:

“The Labour Government has been half-hearted in its measures, providing little incentive to go green. The UK has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 15% by 2010/11 yet there has been no progress, in fact carbon emissions have increased!

“In Wales the Minister for the Economy, Ieuan Wyn Jones, announced last week that £118million would be spent on transport grants but £68million of this will go on roads.

“Only the liberal democrats have the policies to match their words on the green agenda. We want more support and promotion of alternative fuels as well as more investment in sustainable transport, including safer cycling routes and better integrated bus and rail services across Wales.”


Notes:

Welsh Transport Statistics 2007 - Chapter 2: Licensing and Vehicle Ownership
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/trans2008/hdw20080318/?lang=en 


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