The Department of Transport has denied a 1997 pledge by John Prescott to cut car use.

The DoT has denied that the former transport secretary ever gave a vow to cut the number of car journeys and increase use of public transport within five years.

Speaking on June 6 1997, the deputy prime minister 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. Its a tall order but I urge you to hold me to it."