Calls for road-charging body

• Government needs to win motorists' trust
• Independent road charging body could do this
• RAC Foundation says 89% of drivers support idea

Latest News

• 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder review
• MG gives local workers 15% discount
• Citroen launches recall website
• Mazda and Fiat to co-develop roadster

Related stories

• Cut congestion: work from home
• New transport minister after reshuffle

Road charging should be monitored by an independent organisation, so that the Government can win drivers' trust for the schemes.

That's the message from the RAC Foundation, which believes that there's a long way to go before motorists have confidence in road-pricing plans.

To gain that trust, the foundation has set out what it calls 'conditions of acceptance' for the Government, which includes proposals such as:

• Fair charges, balanced by reductions in other motoring taxes, and overseen by an independent body;

• Reinvesting proceeds from charges into road transport and be additional to current spending commitments;

• A clear timetable for implementing road charging, and allowing time for people to adjust their travel routines;

• Protection of privacy;

• Protection for the least well-off, so that those on the lowest incomes are not priced off the road.

The foundation says that 89% of motorists think there should be an independent body to safeguard road users' interests, but that without such a body, 87% wouldn't trust the Government on road charging.

Shortly after taking up his new role of transport secretary, Douglas Alexander confirmed he would push ahead with plans to introduce pay-as-you-go road charging, saying it was the only way to avoid 'eternal gridlock' on UK roads.