DRAFT guidance to local authorities in England and Wales on strategies to reduce traffic on local roads has been published. Junior transport minister Glenda Jackson said the measures which will be undertaken as part of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 would turn environmental awareness into action.

The Act requires local authorities to review current and forecast traffic levels on local roads and publish a report containing targets for reducing those rates or provide reasons why such targets are inappropriate. The guidance is being produced in draft form to allow local authorities and other interested parties to comment. The final version is likely to be published later this year.