DEVELOPMENT of 'clean cars' is a top priority for the new Government according to Andrew Miller, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston. Speaking from Westminster, the MP says a key focus of future transport policy must be sustainable travel which allows easy access to safe and affordable transport without damaging the environment.

Mr Millers constituency includes Vauxhall Motors, Ellesmere Port. Mr Miller was speaking as further details emerged of the Government's Cleaner Vehicles Task Force - a new initiative to drive forward the concept of the 'clean machine'. Already ministers have given the go ahead to convert vehicles in the Government car pool to alternative, environmentally friendly fuels.

Transport Minister, Dr Gavin Strang told a SERA conference in London that the task force - under the co-chairmanship of Dr Strang and Ian McAllister of the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) - would encourage individuals and fleet buyers to look at the green option when buying new vehicles.

Andrew Miller said: "I want to see the Government promote research and development that will keep Britain at the cutting edge of cleaner vehicles technology. We want to work with industry to make it better, cleaner and more attractive vehicles which people actually want to drive. Locally, this will be an exciting challenge for Vauxhall Motors who I know will be playing their part in the Greener Vehicle Task Force.

The Ellesmere Port work's green credentials were confirmed when they became the first car plant in the world to be awarded BS7750 environmental certification. I believe this new Government initiative could lead to the creation of jobs in the plant in years to come.

"The government understands that road transport is important. But we are absolutely determined to encourage alternative means of transport and far wider use of public transport, and we are not shying away from difficult questions on how pricing, fiscal policies and regulation can help change views about public transport and our relationship with the car."

Vauxhall Ellesmere Port launches the new Astra in the spring.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.