Commission backs smart growth that puts local communities first

6.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 27th Jul 2005

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne welcomed the conclusions of a cross-party report on sustainable development in the south east, published today.

Mr Huhne was one of the members of the commission set up by the Labour-leaning Institute for Public Policy Research and chaired by the Conservative leader of Kent county council, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart.

"The 144-page report shows that a cross-party consensus is possible on the big environmental challenges that face our region. We can maintain our prosperity and protect our quality of life.

"Key conclusions are the need to support the rest of Britain in raising skill levels and tackling low employment as this will reduce the pressure on the south east.

"We also believe a national congestion charging scheme is vital is the South East is to tackle traffic gridlock and pollution. In the short term, local schemes could be introduced but only with more funding for public transport and transport infrastructure.

"The report stresses the need for more affordable housing and also for adequate transport and other infrastructure. We will need new reservoirs and much more attention to water saving measures" said Mr Huhne. "The commission's work suggests that the Government has got its spending priorities wrong by neglecting housing and transport".

Commission on sustainable development in the South East: final report is available from www.ippr.org.