THE Government should not be hitting British company fleets with extra financial burdens when effective public transport is not yet available. Nigel Stead, managing director of VELO, was speaking at a reception to mark the opening of VELO's new site for the north of England in Harrogate.

During his speech Stead highlighted the role of the company car following the Government integrated transport white paper. He added: 'New cars are clean, old cars are not. Certain European countries have offered scrappage incentives and I call upon our Government to review whether their commitment to 'clean air' policies might be enhanced by offering financial support to help rid our roads of the 20% of vehicles causing 60% of our pollution.'