THE launch of the motor industry's 'Stop Fuming!' campaign has been accompanied by renewed calls for the Government to introduce an old car scrappage scheme and a pledge to allocate all cash raised from additional motoring taxes to improving transport facilities. Coinciding with the UK motor industry's second annual 'Stop Fuming!' campaign launched on Monday was a week-long free vehicle emissions check programme at 330 sites nationwide.

The campaign encourages motorists to help improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions, thereby saving themselves an estimated £162 a year. The campaign's backers argue that regular car servicing and sensible car use can cut air pollution and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the 'Stop Fuming!' campaign opened with the publication by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and endorsed by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions of a new report - 'Cleaner Britain for a Cleaner Millennium'.

While acknowledging the role of the industry and car buyers in cleaning up the environment, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said Government also had a role to play through legislation and increased spending on transport. The report calls on the Government to review the environmental, security and road safety benefits of scrapping old cars and to reopen the UK scrappage scheme debate which would see cash handouts to encourage drivers of vehicles of perhaps 10 years old to replace them with newer models.