THE RAC and Fleet Cost Management are attempting to pin down the major political parties on the UK's crippling traffic congestion problems. Both organisations have approached the big three with questions on how they will tackle congestion set to reach crisis point in key marginal constituencies.

Using the Government's own colour-coded congestion-map published last October, the RAC discovered that voters in a third of the key seats which any incoming Government must win will face severe traffic delays on a daily basis within eight years.

The RAC believes that unless investment in road improvements and effective public transport alternatives to the car increases dramatically, the 2002 election will be fought over the cost of congestion. FCM is taking the debate a step further by inviting politicians to participate in a jam-busting 'traffic forum'. FCM managing director Jeremy Snowden has written to all three party leaders asking for their views on such a forum - chaired by the DoT and involving the manufacturers and fleet operators.