Alistair Darling has angered environmentalists by saying that road congestion will get worse unless capacity is increased.

The transport secretary was announcing a substantial expansion in the UK's road network and a radical review of road charging.

Forum Response: Woodland Trust

Ed Pomfret, spokesman for the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "Although Alistair Darling has decided to reject some of the damaging proposals, he has still shown he has little regard for our environmental treasures.

"Widening the M25 and roads in South Yorkshire would be acts of environmental vandalism, destroying irreplaceable habitats for the sake of short term considerations.

"It is time the Department for Transport realised that recklessly approving destruction of swathes of ancient woodland is unacceptable and cannot continue. These woods cover only two percent of the country and are our richest habitat for wildlife, is it too much to ask that we protect them from road schemes and other damaging development?"

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the IoD, said: "Two years ago we wrote a report asking for more roads along with road pricing. We are therefore pleased to see today's announcement by the government on widening motorways and developing a feasibility study on road tolls.

"However, improvements to the motorways will take a considerable time to complete and any road charges must be offset by lower vehicle excise and fuel duties."

Forum Response: Countryside Agency

Brian Wilson, programme director at the Countryside Agency, said: "It is clear that the Department for Transport has made real efforts to protect the countryside for future generations.

"We are delighted that many of the Countryside Agency's concerns have been addressed in this announcement. But we will still be closely following proposals to widen the sections of the M1 that pass through the Chilterns and South Yorkshire Forest, and to look again at the stretch of the A27 at Beddingham.

"Considering all the available transport options, and using the most effective mix of road and public transport the multi modal model is the only way to ensure the best transport decisions are made for rural communities, rural businesses and the countryside. Today's announcement was helpful in flagging up the need to manage travel habits and improve public transport."