Unkindest cut
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THE Government is still failing to understand the extent to which industry and commerce depend upon a sound transport structure, says the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.
The AMA says the Government's decision to cut another £25m from .ocal authority capital spending on roads and transport services next year is excessive, and will undermine road safety and the economic vitality of urban areas.
But following the Government's lead in reducing its own spending on the motorway programme, the AMA is prepared to do its utmost to co-operate.
According to the Association, road and transport programmes have already been oared down to the point where the further reductions will seriously jeopardise safety standards. Much needed public transport projects will have to be postponed yet again.
The AMA is, however, gratified that Environment Secretary Peter Shore has called for a new capital expenditure return. The Association believes that local authorities may have made savings in excess of the E50m assumed by the DoE. in which case the actual savings should be taken into account during next year's Rate Support Grant settlement.