'Every day transport' will bear brunt of 40% cuts, campaigners warn McLoughlin

'Every day transport' such as local roads and footways, buses, and cycling will bear the brunt of the Chancellor's cuts of up to 40%, campaigners have warned in a bid to influence the Spending Review.

Groups including the Campaign for Better Transport and Passenger Transport Executive Group wrote to the transport secretary to say that since major investment programmes for strategic roads and railways are ring-fenced, proposed DfT cuts of at least 25% and up to 40% will fall disproportionately on local transport. The letter warns that local roads, already suffering a £8.6bn backlog in funding for maintenance, will fall into further disrepair, there will be fewer bus services and higher fares, and existing Government commitments to encourage more walking and cycling will be "impossible to meet".

They want to see the Governemnt protect and enhance local transport by "smarter spending" such as creating efficient cross-Government funding programmes; re-balacing capital and revenue funding; and reviewing the case for major transport programmes. Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the CBT said: "We hope the transport secretary will ensure that the review has a better balance between major capital programmes and the funding for every day transport."