To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to make low carbon travel a priority in (a) local transport plans, (b) local area agreements and (c) local development frameworks. (216325)

Developing low carbon travel is becoming increasingly important at the local level. Guidance published in 2004 on the second round of Local Transport Plans (LTPs1) encouraged local transport authorities to consider measures to tackle climate change. The Local Transport Bill currently before the House includes a new duty on local authorities to have regard to the protection or improvement of the environment in developing and implementing policies to be included in local transport plans. We expect to publish draft guidance on future plans towards the end of the year.

In recently agreed local area agreements 100 local authorities have adopted a target relating to indicator NI186—“Per capita reduction in CO₂ emissions in the LA area”. The Department will work closely with authorities and other Departments concerned to help meet the agreed targets.

The Department has also supported the development of PPS1—Planning and Climate Change (which supplements the main Planning Policy Statement). This was published in December 2007 and provides guidance to authorities preparing local development frameworks.