The Liberal Democrats rolled out a number of ‘green’ transport policies at their party conference in Brighton this week, as part of its bid to make Britain carbon neutral by 2050.

Proposals, including the phasing out of petrol cars by 2040, increased renewable fuel obligations for petrol stations, and charging freight to use UK roads to pay for investment in rail, are all part of the Lib Dems claim to be the greenest of the top three parties.

The 10-point plan was backed by party members at the conference, and will also see greater investment in flood-management systems in a bid to better prepare the UK to face the effects of climate change.

The Lib Dem party claims that by aiming for carbon neutrality, they are going further than either Labour or the Tories who are aiming for 60% and 80% carbon cuts respectively. The party says it wants to set up a ‘Future transport fund’ to invest in key rail and light rail improvements and extensions, by using the proceeds from charging road freight for using the motorways and the proceeds from a climate change charge on air flights within the UK.