Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
|Home
Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
This website has been partly paid for from the funds made available to every MP to assist them in communicating with and representing their constituents.
Printed and hosted by Pipex Communications UK Ltd, Humber Buildings, Humber Rd, Beeston, Notts, NG9 2ET. Published and promoted by Norman Baker MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA. The views expressed are those of Norman Baker, not of the service provider.
2003 (and previous) press releases
Norman Baker's 4 by 4 campaign wins cross party backing
Local MP Norman Baker's campaign to force manufacturers of 4x4 vehicles to shift their advertising strategies away from the "urban jungle" has secured cross-party support in a House of Commons motion.
The motion tabled by Mr Baker has been signed by MPs from Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, and recognises that 4x4 vehicles:
· Are increasingly used for short journeys in towns and cities
· Often make pedestrians, cyclists and other road users feel intimidated
· Leave a bigger footprint on the environment compared with normal cars
As part of the campaign, the Lib Dem MP is also writing to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders calling for a more responsible marketing strategy of 4x4s. Mr Baker wants manufacturers to target "legitimate" rural users rather than people living in the "urban jungle."
Speaking about his 4x4 campaign, Norman Baker says:
"Increasing numbers of 4x4s in towns like Lewes are causing major problems. Using a two-and-a-half tonne, 22 gallon vehicle to pop down to the local supermarket for a packet of teabags leaves a bigger footprint on the environment than a normal car and can intimidate other road users and pedestrians.
"I want to put pressure on manufacturers to advertise 4x4s more responsibly and not market their products as status symbols for urban dwellers. I welcome the support of other MPs for my campaign from across the political spectrum. I have had more people contact me on this issue from across the country than any other issue I have ever been involved in. By almost three-to-one they have been supportive."
A copy of the motion is reproduced below:
That this House notes that increasing numbers of 4x4 vehicles are being used in towns and cities for short journeys to local schools or supermarkets; also notes that whilst drivers of 4x4 vehicles may feel safer, other road users outside the vehicle often feel intimidated and less safe, particularly cyclists and pedestrians but also other car users; expresses concern that these vehicles with their poor fuel efficiency, sometimes as low as 20 mpg, large engines and emission levels leave a significantly greater footprint on the environment than the average car; and calls on motor manufacturers to redirect their marketing strategies to legitimate and largely rural uses instead of attempting to create status symbols by targeting the urban jungle and those within it.