Westcountry

Traffic levels in the Westcountry have risen dramatically over the past decade, according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats.

Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Somerset saw traffic levels rise by about 17 per cent between 1997 and 2006.

In Devon, meanwhile, the increase was 14 per cent, and in Dorset and Wiltshire, the jump was 13 per cent.

The national average was an increase of 12 per cent, the figures showed.

The findings will not surprise many in the region, as sky-high train fares and dismal bus services mean many people are forced to use their car.

When the Labour government came into power in 1997 they claimed they would adopt a much greener transport system to the one they had inherited from the Tories.

During 1997, John Prescott, then the Deputy Prime Minister, famously said: "I will have failed if in five years' time there are not many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car. It's a tall order but I urge you to hold me to it."

Norman Baker, Liberal Democrats: "Here in black and white is proof of Labour's ten years of failed transport policies."

However, the latest figures will put pressure on the Government to explain why their policies on reducing traffic have spectacularly failed.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said the findings highlighted Labour's incompetence on transport.

"Here in black and white is proof of Labour's ten years of failed transport policies," he said.

"They say they are serious about tackling climate change, but everywhere except London traffic levels keep on rising.

"Perhaps this is no surprise when the cost of motoring is going down under this Government and the cost of public transport is going up."

Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers also attacked the Government over the figures.

She said: "These figures are a damning indictment of the Government's failure to tackle road congestion.

"It is little wonder that, as a result of the Government's inaction and indifference, we have the most congested roads in Europe."

The Department for Transport explained why traffic levels had shot up.

"As the economy grows, more people are travelling, and travelling further. The Government is committed to tackling congestion and is making record investments in transport," it said.

"However, we know we cannot simply build our way out of congestion. We are also working to get more from our existing roads through measures like active traffic management and local road-pricing schemes, as well as investing heavily in better public transport - spending £2.5bn this year on buses, and £88m a week on trains."

A study last year revealed that people living in rural parts of the South West had a much larger carbon footprint than those living in the region's urban areas.