CONGESTION - not pollution - is the most pressing problem facing the UK transport system, says Matthew Taylor, senior Liberal Democrat spokesman on environment and transport. And he wants corporate decision-makers to put company transport needs at the top of their strategic planning.

'People should be thinking five or 10 years ahead and start planning where they locate their business, what type of buildings they put up, what public transport facilities serve it and how staff will get to work and home again. 'The more important transport is to your business, the more important it is to make these decisions now rather than when the Government forces you.'

Mr Taylor maintains that environmental pollution is a man-made problem with man-made solutions and can therefore be solved. 'But congestion cannot be solved unless we move people around more efficiently, using more means of transport. Half the road network will head for regular congestion within 20 years and politicians will have to make some hard decisions if people are to get from A to B without getting stuck.'