Alistair Darling has come under fire after he announced a review of the government's 10-year transport plan in the Commons.

The transport secretary outlined the limited progress made on the plan and scaled back plans to boost rail use and cut road congestion.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: "A reliable, safe, and sustainable transport system that delivers real benefits for retailers, their staff and customers must be the key consideration in any government transport strategy.

"Without proper consultation of the long-term knock-on effects of town centre transport policy, the government could inadvertently kill regeneration of urban centres. Forcing travellers onto public transport - that is already at capacity - without the supporting infrastructure will convert traffic congestion into 'people congestion' - both lead to gridlock.

"The combined policies of congestion charging, workplace parking levies and delivery curfews will seriously alter the operation of retail outlets. There is currently no consistency and no guidance for local authorities in town centre transport schemes.

"Government must not focus on punitive measures to tackle congestion at the expense of long term investment in the railways and other public transport."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Geraint Day, policy adviser at the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "Previously, government policy seemed to revolve around slogans such as 'integrated transport' and setting up of various quangos of questionable use.

"The fact that the secretary of state for transport has acknowledged shortcomings in government policy is to be welcomed. However, IoD members will still be asking for real progress in place of rhetoric."