Written question asked by Lord Judd (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) on Monday, 1 October 2007.

Transport: Moorsbus Network

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What evaluation they have made of the Moorsbus Network in the North York Moors National Park and of the savings that the network has made in private car miles and in carbon dioxide released; and what plans they have for long-term sustained financial support for more environmentally friendly access to national parks.

Answer: The Government evaluated the Moorsbus Network as part of a study examining best practice in the development of integrated transport in the National Parks of England and Wales. This led to a detailed good practice guide. Annual surveys of passengers have shown that in 2003 those who had access to a car but chose to use Moorsbus have saved the environment over 1 million miles of car journeys to and from the national park. There are no known studies on the savings made in carbon dioxide emissions specific to the Moorsbus service. Financial support for transport access to national parks comes largely from the relevant local transport authorities who in most cases receive some support from the department such as the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG). The Department for Transport is reviewing all of its long-term spending plans as required of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 due later this year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5292; 694 c236-7WA
Session: 2006-07
Notes: Answer received between Monday 10 September and Friday 14 September 2007.
Subjects: Access Bus services Finance Exhaust emissions Pollution control North York Moors
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk