ROD EDDINGTON STUDY FOR NO 10: It was noted this study has not been briefed to address environmental issues but Eddington recognises their importance.

Eddington supports demand management through road charging but does not advocate road building. He is concerned about planning barriers to getting projects off the ground.

He is concerned about railway infrastructure but does not seem to appreciate that transport can underpin unsustainability as well as sustainability.

The above were opinions expressed by those TAR members who had attended the meeting with Eddington.

It was suggested that Tory leader David Cameron has raised the Government's environmental agenda.

The Climate Change Review Programme is now due to be published around March or April.

It was suggested the Way to Go campaign should be revised and this should be done with two or three short papers, the first would outline the issues and the others would outline solutions as we see them. Tony Bosworth undertook to lead on this.

The National Ten Point Plan has been released and work on local/regional plans will be next.

Keith Buchan and T2000 are doing a study on transport-related carbon dioxide.

A TAR road charging position statement was circulated for discussion. Once finalised, it is proposed to circulate it as widely as possible and targeted at MPs and local government.

SUSTRANS provided a briefing on new housing provision as set out in the draft Planning and Policy Guidance 3 published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This fails to mention serious issues of climate change, peak oil/energy security and there is almost no mention of transport and none about the need to promote health through active travel. There is little, if anything, on lower speeds, safe routes, links to the National Cycle Network, community severance or sustainable travel.

The consultation period ends on 27 February and all are urged to write to ODPM. Free literature is available from ODPM on 0870 1226 236 or www.odpm.gov.uk

ENERGY REVIEW: Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has been asked to lead a review of UK energy policy and to bring forward policy proposals next year.

Next meeting will be on 1 March 2006 and guest speaker Stephen Potter will give a presentation on rail priorities.

Norman Bradbury 20 January 2006