Road pricing: A workable transport solution?

Could road pricing curb growing congestion?

Wednesday, 16, May 2007 12:00

Road user pricing has proved to be one of the most controversial political topics of 2007, with 1.8 million British motorists signing a Downing Street petition opposing the scheme.

But, the number of cars on the roads continues to rise and the government expects congestion to increase 25 per cent over the next decade. Last year the Eddington Study warned congestion could cost the UK economy £22 billion by 2025.

Writing exclusively for politics.co.uk, ministers and opposition politicians explain how road pricing could be used to combat congestion. Transport secretary Douglas Alexander reassures motorists the government will not force through a national scheme, but is interested in the results of local studies. Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling warns the government against imposing a road pricing scheme against public consensus, arguing motorists rightly fear it will become another 'stealth tax'. The Liberal Democrats transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael places road pricing in the wider context of climate change, but highlight's the possible implications for civil liberties. And Plaid Cymru transport spokesman Adam Price questions whether such a scheme could work in Wales, pointing out that the country lacks the public transport system necessary to underpin a successful road pricing scheme.