SHADOW secretary of state for transport, environment and the regions John Redwood seized the opportunity of the London Motor Show to attack the Government's transport policy. He described the event as 'stunning' and praised manufacturers' efforts to make their cars as economical and environmentally-friendly as possible

But he said the motor industry's showcase was set against the backdrop of a Government hostile to the motorist. Redwood said the Government should turn its attention to other areas of the economy such as home insulation and power generation where 'green' progress lagged well behind the motor industry. 'We bought the roads and the Government is trying to stop us using them, and is deliberately reducing their capacity in some cases,' he said. 'We think the motorist in general, whether company car driver or private, is paying too much tax.'

He reiterated the Conservative Party's commitment to scrapping the fuel duty escalator, and its opposition to congestion charging and workplace parking charges which 'will make it more difficult for people to get around without getting people out of their cars. 'There needs to be a sustainable alternative, and we need to encourage better choices by offering a greater array of transport, but the motor car will remain the most important way of moving around,' he said.