AFTER months of hype and delay Britain's first integrated transport policy document for 20 years has left businesses across Britain wondering what all the fuss was about.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott heralded the paper as starting a revolution in the way transport is used, resulting in less reliance on the car and increased use of buses and trains as well as encouragement for people to walk and cycle. However, far from being radical the entire contents of the 170-page document had been widely leaked, leaving fleet chiefs questioning why many companies had delayed key fleet policy decisions. Some called it a 'damp squib' and motor industry leaders condemned its 'woeful woolliness'.

Although both motorway tolls and urban road pricing as well as charges for private non-residential workplace car parking are key proposals in the Government long-term strategy it will be several years - perhaps 2005 - before any measures are introduced allowing local authorities to introduce new tax raising measures at the expense of motorists to fund public transport developments.

In the meantime under Prescott's white paper - 'A New Deal for Transport - Better for Everyone' - it is likely to be left to companies to introduce their own 'green' transport plans with the paper acknowledging the importance of the company car.