THE Government has signalled its determination to cut levels of car usage with minister of state for transport Glenda Jackson launching a new campaign called 'Don't Choke Britain '97'. The campaign, backed by more than 400 organisations across the country, aims to highlight the damaging effects of traffic congestion and pollution, and urges motorists to use their cars less often. It runs throughout June.

The campaign was immediately welcomed by Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, as a 'constructive and pragmatic step in the right direction'. However, he warned the Government that it was unrealistic to expect people not to use cars and repeated calls for an integrated transport policy.

Don't Choke Britain acts as an umbrella for many individual campaigns taking place throughout the country, including Breathe Easy Week, National Bike Week, Green Transport Week, Walk to School Week - and Car Free Day on June 17.