To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government on the implementation of her Department’s sustainable travel towns initiative; and what plans she has to include more towns in the initiative. (192814)

Officials in the Department for Transport have, on request, provided advice to officials in the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) on how to set up a similar programme in Wales. They have also had discussions with officials in the Scottish Executive about their proposals for similar schemes there and with other territories in the British and Irish Isles through the British/Irish Council. It is for the WAG to decide on implementation of sustainable travel towns in Wales. Ministers have had no such discussions with their counterparts in the WAG.

The Department’s sustainable travel towns complete their work in April 2009. We are considering the way forward and will make a decision in due course.