THE AA has called on politicians of all parties not to duck transport issues for company car drivers as the new government takes office. In demanding 'policies not platitudes' the motoring organisation said a survey by National Opinion Polls showed company car drivers' continued dependence on car travel and their increasing frustration with road congestion.

The poll of 500 motorists revealed 75% of company car drivers have had at least one business trip ruined over the last year because they were caught in traffic congestion, 85% chose the car for most long journeys, and 68% would still choose their car for a long journey even if buses and trains were more frequent, of higher quality and less expensive.

John Dawson, AA director of policy said: 'Simplistic calls for better transport, or to tax people off the road, are platitudes not practical policies. There will be two million more cars on UK roads by the year 2000. We want politicians to get real about the importance of the car, and to say what practical actions will be taken to manage its growth.'