New report backs road tolls

01 December 2006

New report backs pay as you drive
First step in forthcoming budget
Massive investment in road, rail and air networks needed

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The future of pay-as-you-drive motoring looks set, following a new report commissioned by the Government.

Former British Airway’s boss Sir Rod Eddington has given an independent view of the country’s road, rail and air transport network. The report states that correctly utilising these systems could produce up to £28 billion each year. However, it also says that massive investment from the public and private sectors is needed to realise this sum.

The report goes on to say that an effective transport system is vital to the future health of the country's economy.

The reports largely agrees with the Government’s plans for the future of Britain’s roads, and follows the Queen’s speech earlier this month, which laid out the Governments plans to improve public transport and reduce congestion. The Chancellor could announce the first step in his upcoming budget. His pre-budget report is announced next week.

Trials of the pay-as-you-drive charging are expected to start soon, and could be nationwide by 2016. These schemes are likely to use satellite-tracking devices in cars to charge motorists different amounts, depending on the route they take and the time of day they travel. However, Sir Eddington’s report highlights difficulties in introducing such a system.

Edmund King of motoring group the RAC Foundation said Britain's drivers need more details if they are to be sold on the idea of road tolls.

'If the motorist is to be won over, government needs to demonstrate that pricing will be part of the solution to their needs, along with investment to make the roads better and safer, and not just another means to raise money and price them off the roads.'

If whatcar.com readers are indicative of the motoring public the government has some way to convince motorists of road tolls. In a poll 98% of you said you were against pay-per-mile road charging, although 48% did agree that road tolls would ease congestion.